James Garner, a legendary figure in Hollywood known for his roles in *Maverick* and *The Rockford Files*, had a storied career filled with charm, wit, and resilience.

However, one of the more intriguing aspects of his life was his relationship with fellow actor Steve McQueen during the filming of *The Great Escape*.

This article delves into their complicated dynamic, revealing the tensions and rivalries that often simmered beneath the surface.

 

Born James Scott Bumgarner on April 7, 1928, in Denver, Oklahoma, Garner faced significant challenges in his early life.

He lost his mother at the age of five and grew up in a tumultuous household marked by neglect and abuse.

Despite these hardships, Garner’s resilience shone through.

After serving in the Korean War and earning two Purple Hearts, he transitioned into acting, landing his first role in *The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial*.

His breakout came with the television series *Maverick*, where his charm and wit captivated audiences.

 

In 1963, Garner starred alongside McQueen in *The Great Escape*, a film based on the true story of Allied prisoners of war attempting to escape from a German camp during World War II.

Garner played the resourceful character Henley, while McQueen portrayed the rebellious Cooler King.

The film became a classic, but behind the scenes, tensions brewed.

 

As both actors rose to fame, a rivalry developed.

McQueen, eager to establish himself as a leading man, sought more screen time and often clashed with director John Sturgis over his character’s prominence.

Garner, with his natural charisma, often stole the spotlight, leading to McQueen’s frustrations.

Garner later described McQueen’s behavior as “a pain in the ass,” noting that he relied heavily on his carefully crafted persona rather than true acting depth.

 

In his memoir, *The Garner Files*, Garner opened up about his feelings towards McQueen, portraying him as insecure and prone to jealousy.

He shared anecdotes that revealed McQueen’s struggles with self-doubt, including unfounded accusations of infidelity directed at Garner.

Despite these tensions, Garner acknowledged that McQueen was not malicious but rather a deeply insecure individual whose behavior stemmed from his fears.

 

Garner’s approach to their relationship was somewhat paternal; he often felt like an older brother to McQueen.

However, the insecurities and eccentricities of McQueen created a rift that complicated their dynamic.

 

While Garner’s career flourished, he faced his own set of challenges.

His commitment to performing his stunts in *The Rockford Files* took a toll on his body, leading to numerous injuries and surgeries.

Despite these physical challenges, Garner remained dedicated to his craft and continued to work in the industry, reprising his role in television movies long after the original series ended.

 

His personal life also reflected stability, as he maintained a loving marriage to Lois Clarke, a rarity in Hollywood.

However, health issues, including a stroke in 2008, gradually slowed him down, culminating in his passing on July 19, 2014, at the age of 86.

 

James Garner’s legacy is marked not only by his iconic roles but also by his candid reflections on Hollywood’s complexities.

His relationship with Steve McQueen, filled with rivalry and tension, offers a glimpse into the human side of these larger-than-life personalities.

Despite their differences, both actors left an indelible mark on cinema, and their stories continue to resonate with audiences today.

In conclusion, the interplay between Garner and McQueen during the making of *The Great Escape* serves as a reminder of the challenges actors face in balancing their careers, personal insecurities, and relationships with colleagues.

Garner’s ability to articulate these experiences in his memoir adds depth to our understanding of Hollywood’s golden age, highlighting the intricate dynamics that often lie beneath the glitz and glamour.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

oh McQueen crazy McQueen McQueen and I got along pretty good McQueen looked at me kind of like an older brother James Garner the legendary star of Maverick and The Rockford Files was known for his wit charm and honesty but there was one story he kept locked away for decades his time on the Great Escape wasn’t just a cinematic Milestone it was the backdrop for a firey clash with Steve McQueen one of Hollywood’s most enigmatic stars now long after Garner’s passing his candid Revelations about McQueen have surfaced exposing a side of

00:35
their relationship few could have imagined What secrets did Garner take to the Grave the truth is finally out but before we get into these stunning Revelations it’s important to explore the early events that brought about the connection between James Garner and Steve McQueen the untold battles of James Garner James Garner wasn’t just a Hollywood icon he was a man who overcame extraordinary challenges to become one of the most beloved actors of his generation known for his effortless Charisma he brought life to characters

01:06
like the sly Gambler Brett Maverick and the unfappable Jim Rockford leaving an indelible mark on both television and film born James Scott Bumgarner on April 7th 1928 in Denver Oklahoma Garner’s early years were anything but easy growing up during the Great Depression he lost his mother at just 5 years old when she tragically passed away during a botched abortion his father Welden bum Garner owned a hardware store but struggled to provide for Garner and his two older brothers after the loss of his wife when a fire destroyed the family

01:40
hardware store Welden turned to booze and the effects were devastating Garner and his brothers endured neglect and abuse often being forced to sing for their meals and punished if they refused eventually Welden remarried but the boy’s suffering only deepened Garner described his stepmother Wilma as cruel recounting incidents where she reportedly hit him with tree branches and dressed him in women’s clothing as a form of humiliation at the age of 14 Garner could take no more during a violent confrontation he fought back

02:13
overpowering Wilma in self-defense at that moment his father intervened and prevented further escalation but the damage was done Garner later admitted that had his father not stepped in he might have gone too far not long after Welden abandoned the family all together leaving James and his brothers to fend for themselves despite his chaotic upbringing Garner’s resilience carried him forward he took on a variety of odd jobs including a short stint in the Merchant Navy that ended due to Chronic seasickness he even worked as an

02:45
underwear model for a Time an ironic footnote in the life of a man destined for Hollywood stardom in 1950 Garner was drafted into the US Army and deployed to Korea with the fifth regimental combat team of the 24th division his his time in the Korean War was grueling just 2 days after arriving he was injured by shrapnel from a mortar attack and months later he was wounded again this time by Friendly Fire these injuries earned him two purple hearts though Garner rarely spoke about his service preferring to downplay his heroism a lesser known but

03:19
fascinating Quirk of Garner’s life was his intense aversion to garlic which he developed during his military service this sensitivity played an unexpected role in his Survival on one occasion his unit’s meal was unknowingly poisoned but Garner avoided it entirely because of its garlic content Garner’s quick instincts also proved life-saving one freezing night while on guard Duty he caught the faint scent of garlic in the air knowing that enemy soldiers often consumed garlic heavy diets he realized that they were close he alerted his unit

03:51
and they successfully ambushed the enemy likely preventing a deadly attack after returning home from the war Garner picked up odd jobs working as a gas station attendant and even laying carpets with his father one day he crossed paths with Paul Gregory a man who recognized something special in him Gregory would eventually become a talent agent and encourage Garner to try acting initially Garner brushed off Gregory’s suggestion but years later when he spotted Gregory’s name on an agency sign he decided to reconnect that chance

04:22
meeting marked the beginning of his acting career Gregory secured Garner his first role in the cane Mutiny Court Marshal where he appeared as a non speaking member of the Court though the role was small it opened the door to bigger opportunities Garner went on to land a part in cyanara alongside Marlon Brando but his big break came in 1957 when he was cast as Brett Maverick in the western series Maverick the show’s success wasn’t a foregone conclusion many doubted it could compete with the likes of the Ed Sullivan Show and The

04:52
Steve Allen Show but Garner with his natural charm and sharp comedic timing brought something unique to the role Within years Maverick became a runaway hit solidifying Garner as a household name and proving to Hollywood that his talent was unmatched however Garner’s departure from the show was motivated by more than just his Newfound Fame why James Garner left Maverick James Garner quickly became the heart and soul of Maverick Charming audiences with his Sly wit and effortless Charisma as Brett Maverick the show was a massive hit and

05:26
Garner’s career was soaring but in 1960 a writer strike brought Hollywood to a halt setting the stage for a dramatic conflict between Garner and the studio that would ultimately change his career with the strike production on Maverick ground to a halt no scripts meant no new episodes and as far as Warner Brothers was concerned no work for Garner despite his Rising stardom he was earning just $1,250 a week when the studio abruptly laid him off citing the lack of scripts Garner felt betrayed the decision ignited a fire in him one that pushed

06:02
him to take a stand against the Studio’s unfair practices feeling undervalued and mistreated Garner sued Warner Brothers for breach of contract a bold move that shocked Hollywood but Garner was no stranger to playing high stakes gambl both on screen and off his case was strong and he ultimately won the lawsuit the victory sent a clear message about his determination to fight for what he believed was right Warner Brothers tried to make amends offering Garner a raise and a new cont tracked but the damage was done Garner had grown disillusioned

06:33
with the studio system likening himself to a puppet controlled by the whims of Executives determined to take charge of his career he made the daring decision to walk away from Maverick despite losing its star Warner Brothers wasn’t ready to let go of Maverick the show’s popularity endured and Jack Kelly who played Bart Maverick remained but Kelly’s character didn’t have the same magnetism as Garner’s so the studio set out to find a replacement a near lookalike to step into Garner’s boots enter Robert Colbert a relatively