Photo: www.foxsports.com
Starring in several television series over more than five decades, which included popular roles as Bret Maverick in the 1950s western-comedy series Maverick, and Jim Rockford in the 1970s detective drama The Rockford Files, James Garner was also a great race-enthusiast. Hall-of-fame-off-road racer and Korean War veteran, the actor passed away of natural causes Saturday, at his home in Los Angeles.
Garner starred in more than 50 films including The Great Escape (1963), Paddy Chayefsky’s The Americanization of Emily (1964), Grand Prix (1966), Blake Edwards’ Victor Victoria (1982), Murphy’s Romance (1985) for which he received an Academy Award nomination. He also played an older version of Ryan Gosling in The Notebook.
The beloved actor, honored with the screen Actor’s Life Achievement Award in 2005, was among other things a big car-enthusiast. In fact, Garner was an owner of the “American International Racers” (AIR) auto racing team from 1967 through 1969. Famed motorsports writer William Edgar and Hollywood director Andy Sidaris teamed with the Hollywood celebrity for the racing documentary The Racing Scene, filmed in 1969 and released in 1970.
Garner’s team raced at Le Mans, Daytona and Sebring endurance races, but is best known for his celebrity status, raising publicity in early off-road motor-sports events. Later on, he signed a three-year sponsorship contract with American Motors Corportaion. His shops prepared ten 1969 SC/Ramblers for the Baja 500 race. Garner did not drive in this event as he was shooting a film in Spain. However, seven of his cars finished the grueling race, taking three of the top five place in the sedan class. Garner was also the one to drive the pace car at the Indianapolis 500 race in 1975, 1977 and 1985.
Among the stars to pay their respects on social media is Reese Witherspoon who tweeted: “Very privileged to work with this incredibly talented actor early in my career. He will be loved and missed forever,” and Kale Cuoco, who said: “Well “I woke up with a broke heart today. The world has lost a legend. James Garner was a gift to our business and an example of honesty and pure class. It was an honor to have worked beside him and receive his bear hugs every day. I love you gramps.”
The beloved actor, honored with the screen Actor’s Life Achievement Award in 2005, was among other things a big car-enthusiast. In fact, Garner was an owner of the “American International Racers” (AIR) auto racing team from 1967 through 1969. Famed motorsports writer William Edgar and Hollywood director Andy Sidaris teamed with the Hollywood celebrity for the racing documentary The Racing Scene, filmed in 1969 and released in 1970.
Garner’s team raced at Le Mans, Daytona and Sebring endurance races, but is best known for his celebrity status, raising publicity in early off-road motor-sports events. Later on, he signed a three-year sponsorship contract with American Motors Corportaion. His shops prepared ten 1969 SC/Ramblers for the Baja 500 race. Garner did not drive in this event as he was shooting a film in Spain. However, seven of his cars finished the grueling race, taking three of the top five place in the sedan class. Garner was also the one to drive the pace car at the Indianapolis 500 race in 1975, 1977 and 1985.
Among the stars to pay their respects on social media is Reese Witherspoon who tweeted: “Very privileged to work with this incredibly talented actor early in my career. He will be loved and missed forever,” and Kale Cuoco, who said: “Well “I woke up with a broke heart today. The world has lost a legend. James Garner was a gift to our business and an example of honesty and pure class. It was an honor to have worked beside him and receive his bear hugs every day. I love you gramps.”
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