Korean war veteran-turned-actor James Garner first gained fame in the role of wise-cracking cowboy Bret Maverick [1957-62], then in a slew of 1960s movies as suave guy usually opposite Doris Day, then perhaps most famously as private detective James Rockford in “The Rockford Files” [1974-80] and finally, a string of movie roles over the last three decades. Garner passed away earlier this week but ASN acknowledges his automotive stamp on television history. In 1966, Garner starred as a race car driver in “Grand Prix” and found that while he was doing stuntwork for the film, he was so good at driving that he spent the next two decades dabbling in actual racing and even won one competitive race [Riverside Grand Prix]. His gold Pontiac Firebird was an iconic emblem of “The Rockford Files” show and he performed many of the driving stunts shown in the series – including the obligatory J-turn.
James Garner was 86 when he passed away.
