James Garner was hospitalized last week after suffering a mild stroke at his home. Garner's publicist told the AP that the 80-year-old actor is doing well and should be home soon. While Garner's acting career has produced a lengthy and diverse body of work, for a lot of us here at Autoblog, it's hard to think of Jim Garner and not think of Jim Rockford and his gold Firebird Esprit. We're sure there's also no shortage of readers who instantly associate him with his starring role in John Frankenheimer's Grand Prix, hailed by many as the greatest racing movie of all time. Garner was also very active in motorsports in real life, owning American International Racing from 1967-69. He has raced on and off-road, and was inducted to the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame because of his role in elevating the stature of that particular branch of motorsport in the late sixties and early seventies. He's also driven the Indy 500 pace car three times. So, regardless of whether you know him best as Maverick or Jim Rockford, remember also that James Garner's historically a car guy. We wish him well and hope he has a speedy recovery.[Source: AP via CNN, TV Squad]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Bob @ May 14th 2008 7:13PM
Get well soon, Jim!
Fort @ May 14th 2008 7:14PM
Here's wishing James Garner well. I always loved seeing that gold Firebird. He also had some partner for awhile with a red Mustang convertible too. One of the few actors I went to a movie on purpose to see, the Maverick remake a few years ago with Mel Gibson. Not to see Mel, but for Mr. Garner. (A few years.... IMDB says 1994...)
Richard @ May 14th 2008 8:44PM
James Garner, Sean Connery: perhaps the last of the true Men's men.
Hope he gets well soon.
JIm @ May 14th 2008 10:23PM
He was certainly no slouch behind the wheel. During the filming of Grand Prix a factory paid test driver was following Mr. Garner and was told to catch up for better filming. He was reported to have said he was unable to catch him.
There are lots of possibilities in that story, but it also shows Mr. Garner could hold his own in a Grand Prix car.
MajorGeek @ May 14th 2008 10:32PM
All the same, whether you like car flicks, detective shows or are a poker buff, this guy covered it all. While I disagree with a lot of his politics, he will always be a mans man to me as his characters are larger then life itself. Hope you stay healthy another 20, James. For any of you youngsters scratching your heads, you have seen him, you just dont know it:
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001258/
Scott Eaton @ May 15th 2008 12:26AM
I love James Garner! Some people just shouldn't get old.
BRAVENRACE @ May 15th 2008 9:24AM
My feelings exactly. I've always been a fan of his, and met him once in a hospitality sweet at Indy.
Get well fast Jim!
David @ May 15th 2008 6:10AM
Get well Mr. Garner.
Gooch @ May 15th 2008 7:22AM
James Garner is a man's man, and a great actor. I watch Grand Prix at least once a year, and the DVD was one of the best presents my wife ever gave me.
Much like the uncles I revere from my youth, Garner is one guy who I will always think of as 35 years old.
Get well, Jim.
DavidW @ May 15th 2008 3:27PM
A few years ago a movie was made at my best friend's home. James Garner was in the movie. My friend said he was an unbelievably nice person who would sit around and talk. I found it interesting that he drove himself to the set everyday, which was an hour drive each way. I don't think our stars today are made of the same stuff.
JerryL @ May 15th 2008 4:40PM
A real class guy....I talked to him at Sebring long ago. He's a real car guy not some fake poser. Best wishes to "Pete Arons". I watched Grand Prix just a few nights ago on satellite.
Mark S @ May 16th 2008 9:16AM
Do a Rockford for us and turn it around Jim.
(How many people have a car maneuver named for their character?)