James Garner

Is a Korean War veteran and began his career as a contract player in 1956 for Warner Bros.

He starred in 3 popular TV series: "Maverick" (1957) for 3 seasons, "The Rockford Files" (1974) for 6 seasons, and "8 Simple Rules... for Dating My Teenage Daughter" (2002), for 2 seasons.

Had helped organize Martin Luther King's famous "March on Washington" civil rights demonstration, four years before going to Vietnam. (1963).

Was the first actor to co-star with Julie Andrews in three movies: The Americanization of Emily (1964), Victor Victoria (1982), and One Special Night (1999) (TV).

Of all his films, The Americanization of Emily (1964) is his favorite.

In a 1973 interview, John Wayne named Garner as the best American actor.

He was very disappointed about his show, "The Rockford Files" (1974), being cancelled due to his illness. He accepted his doctor's advice and learned that season 6 was his last.

Has played two different characters named Jim who served in the Korean War: Jim Rockford in "The Rockford Files" (1974) and Jim Egan in "8 Simple Rules... for Dating My Teenage Daughter" (2002).

Best known by the public for his starring role as the title character in "The Rockford Files" (1974).

Driver of pace cars at the 59th Indianapolis 500 (May 25, 1975), the 61st Indianapolis 500 (May 29, 1977), and at the 69th Indianapolis 500 (May 26, 1985).

Learned a lot from the late John Ritter,when watching "Three's Company" (1976). After Ritter's death, Garner appeared with the cast of "8 Simple Rules... for Dating My Teenage Daughter" (2002) talking about the popular comedian on "Larry King Live" (1985), on the future of "8 Simple Rules.".

Enjoyed great celebrity with his Polaroid commercial series with Mariette Hartley, which started in 1977. He and Mariette were so convincing as husband and wife that Mariette had a T-shirt made that proclaimed, "I am not James Garner's wife!" More than 300 commercials were produced.

Inducted into the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1978.

Was hospitalized with a bleeding ulcer in 1979.

His brother Charlie Bumgarter died in 1985.

Inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 1986.

Had quintuple heart bypass surgery. [1988]

Quit smoking following his quintuple heart bypass on 22 April 1988.

Inducted into the Hall of Great Western Performers of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in 1990.

In 1995, he received an honorary doctorate from The University of Oklahoma, in his home town of Norman, OK. This was one month after bombing of the Murrah Building in Oklahoma City. He was quoted as saying during his commencement ceremony speech, "If there's anything positive to come from this event, it is seeing the character, the toughness & the dignity of the Oklahoma people as they suffer the grief and carry on with their lives. It makes every Oklahoman, where ever we are, to be PROUD to be an Oklahoman.".

Had both knees replaced. [2000]

Underwent surgery after suffering a severe stroke in May 2008 and is recovering well.

His older brother, Jack Garner, died in 2011.

His star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame is at 6925 Hollywood Blvd.