Member
Posted 20 July 2014 - 10:18
Actor, movie racer and sometime regular racer James Garner has died at 86. Evidently he was discovered dead in his home.
He was the star of the TV series Maverick, and the Rockford files as well as quite a few movies inc the Great Escape with Steve McQueen. They also were both in the motor sport movie,, that the name of escapes me ATM.
Very sad as another of the stars I grew up with and enjoyed has passed.
Member
Posted 20 July 2014 - 10:33
I was partial to his short lived series Nichols circa 1970 which he rode a motorcycle in 1910 western America.
Plus he did a decent job driving the pace car at the Indianapolis 500 , plus most of the auto driving stunts on Rockford.Files.
One of those level headed actor ( except when it came to residuals) who really was a true fan favorite
God Speed Jim
Member
Posted 20 July 2014 - 13:24
He was good as a US TV character in Maverick etc.
He never made the transition to proper cinema, as his wooden performance in the grossly overrated remake of "The Racers" known as "Grand Prix" can testify;
Nice guy though and that is what counts.
RIP
Member
Posted 20 July 2014 - 13:46
I like this one, it shows the fairly well known TV star queuing for McLaren man Don Beresford's autograph.
Edited by kayemod, 20 July 2014 - 13:47.
Member
Posted 20 July 2014 - 13:53
So sad. So many good memories going back to my childhood and Maverick.
For whatever reason, this was a role I loved a lot.
Member
Posted 20 July 2014 - 13:56
He never made the transition to proper cinema, as his wooden performance in the grossly overrated remake of "The Racers" known as "Grand Prix" can testify;
By coincidence for viewers in the UK 'Grand Prix' is on BBC2 at 16.15 this very afternoon.
Member
Posted 20 July 2014 - 14:37
I enjoyed every film I saw him in. If James Garner was in a movie, then I would go and see it.
I'm particularly fond of "Support your local Sherrif" and "Support your local Gunfighter".
Korean War veteran, supeb comedy actor, race driver and entrant, and all-round good guy.
RIP. 
Member
Posted 20 July 2014 - 15:24
Oh yeah, "Support your local Sheriff". That was one hell of a funny western. Garner was great as the slightly apologetic, but dead-shot, dude on his way to Australia who never quite makes it. His birth surname was, I think, Baumgartner, which doesn't have the same ring to it.
Eight-six is not a bad age, but still, a loss to all, movie buffs and race buffs alike.
Member
Posted 20 July 2014 - 16:48
He was good as a US TV character in Maverick etc.
He never made the transition to proper cinema, as his wooden performance in the grossly overrated remake of "The Racers" known as "Grand Prix" can testify;
Nice guy though and that is what counts.
RIP
Wrong sort of film, he was excellent in fllms requiring a deft comic touch such as Victor Victoria & Support Your Local Sheriff/Gunfighter - Great man.
Edited by Bloggsworth, 20 July 2014 - 16:48.
Member
Posted 20 July 2014 - 18:26
I was sadden to hear the news of his passing this morning. I will always remember him as Pete Aron, the United State's second World Driving Champion (1966)! 
RIP, James. We will miss you.
Edited by 911, 20 July 2014 - 18:29.
Member
Posted 20 July 2014 - 18:30
I like the majority of the films he was in, as he never really seemed to take himself, or filmaking seriously - of course, he was a complete professional, but like Robert Mitchum, didn't make it seem like the be-all and end-all and wouldn't be really sniffy about what roles he took.
Surname was actually Bumgarner, no wonder he changed it!
It's a great shame he's died, but he's been so ill for so long now, I'm glad he's at peace and not struggling any more.
New Member
Posted 20 July 2014 - 19:51
RIP... James
Always think of him walking down the Pit Straight at Monza at the end of Grand Prix.
Member
Posted 20 July 2014 - 20:05
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Posted 20 July 2014 - 21:18
Pete Aron, the United State's second World Driving Champion (1966)!
Member
Posted 20 July 2014 - 21:40
He'll forever hold a place in our hearts simply for being in 'Grand Prix'. Don't forget he was great in 'Space Cowboys' (2000) too. RIP Jimmy.
Member
Posted 20 July 2014 - 22:53
"The Racing Scene" is well worth watching, here's a clip,
William Edgar wrote the script for this documentary (as in 450S Maserati)
Member
Posted 20 July 2014 - 23:24
Mr Garner was a good guy .. "The Great Escape", "Grand Prix" and the "Rockford Files" did it for me. As an actor he did some good work.
He always - ALWAYS - came across real good in interviews. A very likeable fellow I think.
RIP James Garner.
Member
Posted 20 July 2014 - 23:27
Sad news.
Thank you, James Garner, for being Pete Aron, and for supporting the sport by entering Lola T70s and F5000 cars.
Somewhere I watched a program about the making of "Grand Prix." It might have been a Speedvision broadcast, or an extra added to the DVD version (or the same program in both places). Someone, possibly Frankenheimer, related that Garner was especially good behind the wheel.
Dad and I used to make a habit of watching "The Rockford Files" together.
My wife (who is only 42 now), relates watching Garner in "Murphy's Romance" and getting a crush on him. When she was, ahem, quite young...
I remember watching a Japanese Grand Prix broadcast in the late '90s. They interviewed Garner on the grid. I was glad to see he had kept his interest in racing. The championship was down to Schumacher or Hakkinen and Garner correctly predicted Hakkinen.
Yes, walking the pit straight at Monza......
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Member
Posted 21 July 2014 - 01:16
I second everything everyone has posted before me.
We'll miss ya!
Member
Posted 21 July 2014 - 01:53
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Posted 21 July 2014 - 05:21
I talked to John Morton at the Portland Historics last weekend. He said Garner had Alzheimers. He was a favourite of mine, and a great supporter of racing. We still watch Rockford Files. Here is a gunfight scene I especially like from "Support Your Local Sheriff". If it comes up as a bunch of videos, click on "Just Hold":
Vince H.
Edited by raceannouncer2003, 21 July 2014 - 05:28.
Member
Posted 21 July 2014 - 05:36
He was great.
Hands up if you can remember some of the 120 episodes of this
https://www.youtube....h?v=23We0O5_eP8
...and great theme music
Grand Prix for me still stands as the best ever film on the subject by a long way.
Member
Posted 21 July 2014 - 07:54
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Posted 21 July 2014 - 10:15
Second?
After Tim Randolph.
Member
Posted 21 July 2014 - 10:31
Member
Posted 21 July 2014 - 10:54
Randolph won it in 1959. Remember Roger Stoddard's win in the front-engined Jordan in '58 stalled the inevitable march to rear-engined cars for a year. Of course Stoddard would have won it by a street had he not been killed at Avus...
Member
Posted 21 July 2014 - 11:19
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Posted 21 July 2014 - 11:23
Fond memories of watching Grand Prix on repeat when I was 8 or 9, might stick the opening section of Monaco on today as a little tribute.
Good to see it was on BBC2 yesterday too.
Member
Posted 21 July 2014 - 11:49
RIP James Garner a good guy.
Very fitting that Grand Prix was, coincidentally, being shown on the BBC yesterday.
Was AIR owned by him? I seem to remember they had Surtees TS5s entered in the Ontario F5000/F1 Grand Prix?
Member
Posted 21 July 2014 - 13:42
Would suggest this was taken in 1985 not 83.!
Jim on his visit to the Macao GP in 1983, pictured with Sidney Taylor & Teddy Yip, and also with Roberto Guerrero.
Member
Posted 21 July 2014 - 21:01
Quote by Richard Jenkins: Surname was actually Bumgarner...
Any relation to No. Cal. Sprint Car driver/owner, Jerry Bumgarner?
Member
Posted 21 July 2014 - 21:35
Garner's American International Racing Inc. entered 2 Lola T70s in the 69 Sebring race I was in - see racingsportscars.
Google also James Garner Corvettes - some good photos.
Robert Barg
Member
Posted 22 July 2014 - 06:41
Would suggest this was taken in 1985 not 83.!
Actually, it was 1984 with JPS sponsorship. In 1985 Roberto was promoting Viceroy. 
Edited by Giraffe, 22 July 2014 - 08:07.
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Posted 22 July 2014 - 08:31
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Posted 22 July 2014 - 10:48
RIP, James...
Turner Classic Movies is revising its published broadcasting schedule and will feature Garner films all day on Monday, July 28th commencing at 6am, EDT.
http://www.tcm.com/m...-Remembers.html
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Posted 22 July 2014 - 19:01
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Posted 22 July 2014 - 22:45
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Posted 22 July 2014 - 22:50
Actually, it was 1984 with JPS sponsorship. In 1985 Roberto was promoting Viceroy.
As a matter of interest who is the chap in photo right? Teddy yip left.
Member
Posted 23 July 2014 - 02:45
As a matter of interest who is the chap in photo right? Teddy yip left.
[/q
uote] Correct! I was in the pits on that day when I received a call from Tasmania to say I was a grandfather and have been duly corrected for my mistake, Sorry!!
Member
Posted 23 July 2014 - 09:50
I think it's worth mentioning that our very own Kingsley Rob will be broadcasting a James Garner tribute feature on his Radio Warrington oldies show tonight at 6 p.m. You can listen live, on line, at http://radiowarrington.co.uk/
New Member
Posted 23 July 2014 - 13:01
One of the great film and television stars in my opinion, and he never seemed to take himself or the job too seriously. He was never a straightforward onscreen hero and that was always his main appeal to me - there was almost always a bit of humour and irreverence in his performances. Grand Prix stands as my favourite film, so I'm a bit biased on that account, but he was great in Marlowe, The Skin Game, The Great Escape, Hour of the Gun - the list is as long as his filmography, because I never saw him give a bad performance.
His book 'The Garner Files' is a great read too, with a lengthy chapter dedicated to his racing involvement - I highly recommend it.
R.I.P. James.
Edited by ddmichael, 23 July 2014 - 13:07.
Member
Posted 24 July 2014 - 01:35
His book 'The Garner Files' is a great read too, with a lengthy chapter dedicated to his racing involvement - I highly recommend it.
I plan on picking it up soon.
Member
Posted 26 July 2014 - 10:12
Very, very sad news, but a grand old age so not entirely unexpected. An absolute hero of mine.
Probably heresy to say this in view of all the Grand Prix hype that we have seen on here over the years, but I'll always think of him as Jim Rockford. That programme stood head and shoulders above all the other American cop/detective things of the time. I wanted to BE Jim Rockford - I wanted to live in a trailer, drive a Pontiac Firebird, have "interesting" friends and work for $200 a day plus expenses. OK, he got beaten up every so often; a small price to pay. And those answerphone messages.... my favourite was "Jim: The cheque bounced. Do you want me to tear it up, send it back, or shall I put it with the others". I can't think of anyone else who could have played that part so well.
RIP Jim. A top man in all respects.
Member
Posted 26 July 2014 - 19:35
Ian, I agree with everything you say, and for those of us of the Circus Boy era it was good to see Noah Beery Jr as his father.
BTW it's good to see you back posting on TNF again
Roger Lund
Member
Posted 27 July 2014 - 21:12
I enjoyed every film I saw him in. If James Garner was in a movie, then I would go and see it.
I think this just about sums it up really.
Somebody in the media said that their lasting impression would be that he was simply "one of the good guys" - his legacy (for me, at least) is more. I thought he was one of the greatest, due in no small part to those two iconic films, Grand Prix and The Great Escape and, of course, the Rockford Files.
He certainly provided some enjoyment for others.
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