James Scott Bumgarner, later known as James Garner, was born on April 7, 1928, in Norman, Oklahoma. His early years were marked by hardship and tragedy. The Great Depression loomed large over his childhood, and his mother passed away in 1933 during a botched abortion, leaving five-year-old James to navigate a cruel and unstable home life. His father, battling alcoholism after losing his hardware store, remarried, but James’s stepmother subjected him to physical abuse and humiliation. By the age of 14, he reached his breaking point during a violent confrontation with her, an incident that could have had irreversible consequences had his father not intervened.

Despite these challenges, Garner’s resilience carried him forward. He worked odd jobs, from gas station attendant to carpet layer, and even modeled underwear to make ends meet. His brief stint in the Merchant Marines ended quickly due to chronic seasickness, but in 1950, Garner was drafted into the Korean War. Wounded twice—once by shrapnel and later by friendly fire—he earned two Purple Hearts, though he rarely spoke of his bravery. Garner’s aversion to garlic even saved his life during deployment, when he refused a poisoned meal and later detected enemy soldiers by their scent, preventing an ambush.

Returning home, Garner’s path to Hollywood was far from obvious. A chance encounter with talent agent Paul Gregory led to small roles, including a non-speaking part in The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial. Garner’s big break came in 1957 when he was cast as Brett Maverick in the Western series Maverick. His wit and charisma turned the show into a hit, making him a household name. But his sense of justice soon put him at odds with Hollywood’s studio system.

When Warner Brothers exploited a writer’s strike to cut costs at Garner’s expense, he fought back, suing the studio for breach of contract. Stars rarely challenged studios in court, but Garner’s determination paid off, and he won. This victory solidified his reputation as a man unwilling to bow to corporate power, paving the way for his transition to the big screen.

In 1963, Garner joined the cast of The Great Escape, a star-studded war film that included Steve McQueen, Richard Attenborough, Charles Bronson, and Donald Pleasence. While the film became an enduring classic, tensions on set, particularly between Garner and McQueen, were palpable. McQueen, earning less than Garner, was dissatisfied with his role and demanded more screen time and stunts, including the iconic motorcycle jump—though it was ultimately performed by stuntman Bud Ekins. Garner later described McQueen as a poser who cultivated a macho image, a critique he revealed in his 2011 memoir The Garner Files. Garner’s honesty about McQueen’s insecurities contrasted sharply with the admiration he held for true actors like Marlon Brando.

While McQueen struggled with jealousy and paranoia, Garner focused on building his legacy. In 1974, he starred in The Rockford Files, a series that showcased his everyman charm as private investigator Jim Rockford. The show was a massive success, but the physical demands of performing his own stunts took a toll on Garner’s health. Chronic knee and back injuries eventually forced the show’s end in 1980. Garner’s battles with Hollywood continued as he sued Universal Studios over profits from The Rockford Files, winning an undisclosed settlement after an eight-year legal battle.

Despite his struggles, Garner remained a symbol of integrity. Married to Lois Clarke for nearly six decades, he avoided the scandals that plagued many of his peers. His personal life provided stability, a stark contrast to McQueen’s restless pursuit of fame and approval.

In his later years, Garner faced declining health, undergoing open-heart surgery in 1988 and suffering a stroke in 2008. He passed away on July 19, 2014, at the age of 86. Garner’s legacy endures as one of Hollywood’s most beloved figures, remembered not just for his roles but for his honesty and resilience. His candid critique of Steve McQueen pulled back the curtain on the insecurities of an actor who was both admired and troubled, offering a glimpse into the human fragility behind Hollywood’s brightest stars.