OBIT: James Garner, Star of 'The Rockford Files,' 'The Notebook'

Actor James Garner, star of such classic television shows as "The Rockford Files" and "Maverick," and movies including "The Notebook" and "Grand Prix," died of natural causes at his Brentwood home. He was 86.

Paramedics were dispatched to his house at 7:57 p.m. Saturday, said Brian Humphrey of the Los Angeles City Fire Department, and a police officer later confirmed Garner's death.

Garner suffered a stroke in 2008 and had been in ill health in recent years.

A relaxed and affable presence on TV and film since the 1950s, Garner's first breakout role came with the series "Maverick," which aired on ABC from 1957 to 1962. He revived his role as roguish gambler Bret Maverick on a 1980s TV reboot, and appeared in the 1994 movie starring Mel Gibson as the same character.

Garner later became one of only a handful of actors to star in a second big TV hit, "The Rockford Files," which aired from 1974 to 1980. He also played easy-going private investigator Jim Rockford in a series of TV movies.

The Oklahoma native, who was born James Scott Bumgarner, earned two Purple Hearts during the Korean War. He made his acting debut on Broadway in 1954 with a non-speaking role in "The Caine Mutiny Court Martial."

He also appeared in dozens of movies as leading man to a variety of popular actresses including Doris Day, who considered him one of her favorites, Julie Andrews, Sally Field, Audrey Hepburn and Shirley MacLaine.

His films included comedies and dramas such as "The Great Escape," "Marlowe," "Support Your Local Sheriff," "Victor Victoria" and "Space Cowboys." Garner's last major film role was in the 2004 hit "The Notebook" with Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams.

He received his only Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for the 1985 film "Murphy's Romance." In 2005, he accepted a Life Achievement Award from the Screen Actors Guild.

Garner won an Emmy in 1977 for "The Rockford Files," and two Golden Globe Awards for his roles in the TV films "Barbarians at the Gate" in 1994 and "Decoration Day" in 1991.

His autobiography, "The Garner Files: A Memoir," was published in 2011.

Garner is survived by his wife of nearly 58 years, Lois, and their daughters, Gigi and Kimberly.

--City News Service