He was a student of Bruce Lee's in his jeet kune do style of martial art after starring with Lee in the film Marlowe.
He was attending Hollywood High in Los Angeles when his gym teacher recommended him for a job modeling Jantzen bathing suits. He got the job making $25 an hour.
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.
His brother Charlie Bumgarter died in 1985.
His star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame is at 6925 Hollywood Blvd.
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.".
In a 1973 interview, John Wayne named Garner as the best American actor.
Inducted into the Hall of Great Western Performers of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in 1990.
Inducted into the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1978.
Inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 1986.
Is a Korean War veteran and began his career as a contract player in 1956 for Warner Bros.
Is a volunteer of Save the Children.
Is an avid golfer.
Is best friends with James Coburn,Doris Day, Clint Eastwood, Julie Andrews, Robert Guillaume and Lauren Bacall.
Is involved with many humanitarian causes.
James Garner adopted his wife's 9 year old daughter Kimberly after they were married. About a year later, James Garner's only biological daughter, Gigi Garner, was born in Santa Monica, California.
James Garner is noted for his starring roles in two popular TV series: Maverick (1958-62) and The Rockford Files (1974-80) for which he won an Emmy.
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" (2002) talking about the popular comedian on "Larry King Live" (1985), on the future of "8 Simple Rules.".
Lost his mother when he was 5, and he & his two brothers were split up & sent off to live with relatives.
Narrates the intro videos for the University of Oklahoma football team as they enter the stadium.