Actor James Garner, who foraged a career in Hollywood that spanned multiple decades and included lauded work in film and television (particularly television), has died at the age of 86 of natural causes, reports the New York Daily News.
Possibly best remembered for two roles, in the 1950’s Western Maverick and the 1970’s show The Rockford Files — both of which showcasing Garner’s penchant for an easy going, low-key, yet charmingly cocky and witty demeanor, replete with one lines delivered as relaxed as swinging on a hammock in sun drenched Malibu — Garner shaped a style on both programs that not only would be utilized throughout his career, but that resulted in an endearment to millions of fans. There was a trust about seeing James Garner at work, a kind of folksy sort of Americana that struck a positive chord with the country in particular, and it allowed Garner to act in a multitude of situations, including memorable commercials he did with actress Mariette Hartley for Polaroid Cameras, an ad campaign which started around the mid 1970s, and again utilized the Garner formula, and helped to create a chemistry with Hartley that was so strong, many people assumed the couple was married.
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