X

Join or Sign In

Sign in to customize your TV listings

Continue with Facebook Continue with email

By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy.

James Garner Biography

Birth Name:
James Scott Bumgarner
Birth Place:
Norman, Oklahoma, United States
Profession
Actor

Fast Facts

  • Drafted into the Korean War, during which he was awarded two Purple Hearts
  • First acting job was a non-speaking role in a Broadway production of The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial, starring Henry Fonda
  • Won a Clio Award for the popular Polaroid TV commercials he appeared in with Mariette Hartley in the late 1970s
  • Maverick and The Rockford Files, his two best-known series, both ended in lawsuits, each of which Garner won
  • In 2006, a statue of him as Bret Maverick was unveiled in his hometown of Norman, OK
  • Suffered a stroke in 2008

Awards

  • 2004Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 1998Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries: nominated
  • 1995Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
  • 1995Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries: nominated
  • 1994Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Special: nominated
  • 1994Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: winner
  • 1994Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries: nominated
  • 1993Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Special: nominated
  • 1991Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: winner
  • 1991Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Special: nominated
  • 1989Emmy-Outstanding Drama/Comedy Special: nominated
  • 1989Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Special: nominated
  • 1987Emmy-Outstanding Drama/Comedy Special: winner
  • 1987Emmy-Outstanding Single Program--Drama or Comedy: winner
  • 1986Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy: nominated
  • 1985Oscar-Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 1985Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Special: nominated
  • 1985Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
  • 1982Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy: nominated
  • 1982People's Choice Awards-Favorite Male Performer in a New TV Program: winner
  • 1982Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 1980Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama: nominated
  • 1980Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 1979Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 1979Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama: nominated
  • 1978Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 1978Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama: nominated
  • 1978People's Choice Awards-Favorite Male TV Performer: winner
  • 1977Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: winner
  • 1976Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 1964Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy: nominated
  • 1959Emmy-Best Actor in a Leading Role (Continuing Character) in a Dramatic Series: nominated
  • 1958Golden Globe-New Star of the Year - Actor: winner

Relationships

  • Charles Bumgarner -- Brother
  • Greta 'Gigi' Garner-Hewitt -- Daughter
  • Weldon Bumgarner -- Father
  • Mildred Bumgarner -- Mother
  • Kimberly Garner -- Stepdaughter
  • Lois Clarke -- Wife