James Garner, one of the first actors to be successful in both film and television, has died at the age of 86, it has been reported.
Though no cause of death is yet known, TMZ say that an ambulance was called to the star’s Los Angeles home at around 8pm on Saturday evening, though James was declared dead when it arrived.
James Garner in 2005
Throughout his film career he appeared opposite huge stars including Julie Andrews, Sally Field and Debbie Reynolds, he will be best remembered for his leading roles in the TV western ‘Maverick’, and the 1970s detective drama ‘The Rockford Files’.
In 1994, he reprised his role of Bret Maverick for a movie adaptation of the series, starring alongside Jodie Foster and Mel Gibson, whose character went on to be revealed as Bret’s son.
Later in his career, he landed a recurring role in the TV comedy ‘8 Simple Rules’, and played the older version of Ryan Gosling’s character in the heartbreaking romantic film, ‘The Notebook’.
Over the course of his career, James scooped two Emmy awards and was even nominated for an Academy Award, in the category of Best Actor in a Leading Role, for his starring role in ‘Murphy’s Romance’.
In 2005, he was also honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Screen Actors Guild.
James is survived by his wife, Lois, who he married in 1956 just two weeks after first meeting. The actor had one daughter with Lois, Greta ‘Gigi’ Garner, and one half daughter from his wife’s previous marriage, Kimberly.
