James Garner - Actor Profile

James Garner

Acting
Freshness: Jan 19, 2026
50Total Films
10.0 Highest Rated
Born: Apr 7, 1928
Birth Place: Norman, Oklahoma, USA

About James Garner

James Scott Garner (né Bumgarner; April 7, 1928 – July 19, 2014) was an American actor, producer, and voice artist. He starred in several television series over more than five decades, including such popular roles as Bret Maverick in the 1950s western comedy series Maverick and Jim Rockford in The Rockford Files, and played leading roles in more than 50 theatrical films, including The Great Escape (1963) with Steve McQueen, Paddy Chayefsky's The Americanization of Emily (1964), Grand Prix (1966), Blake Edwards' Victor Victoria (1982), Murphy's Romance (1985), for which he received an Academy Award nomination, Space Cowboys (2000) with Clint Eastwood, and The Notebook (2004).

Career Statistics & Market Influence

Analyzing the cinematic journey of James Garner reveals a career defined by exceptional commercial consistency. With a total of 50 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.

Genre Dominance: Drama

The majority of James Garner's filmography leans towards the Drama genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.

The "Box Office" Signature

With a 90% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), James Garner remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in The Rockford Files: Backlash of the Hunter, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.

Best James Garner Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from James Garner's career based on audience ratings.

Complete Filmography & Success Status

Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of James Garner.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2020 Disclosure King Marchand (archive footage) Super Hit Similar →
2015 Trumbo Self (archive footage) (uncredited) Hit Similar →
2015 Steve McQueen: The Man & Le Mans Self (archive footage) Hit Similar →
2014 Marlon Brando: An Actor Named Desire Self - Actor (archive footage) Hit Similar →
2010 Superman/Shazam!: The Return of Black Adam Shazam (voice) Hit Similar →
2010 DC Showcase Original Shorts Collection Shazam (segment "The Return of Black Adam") (voice) Hit Similar →
2007 Doris Day: Virgin Territory Self Hit Similar →
2007 Brando Self (archive footage) Hit Similar →
2007 The Ultimate Gift Howard 'Red' Stevens Super Hit Similar →
2005 Dust to Glory Self Average Similar →
2004 The Notebook Duke Super Hit Similar →
2003 The Land Before Time X: The Great Longneck Migration Pat (voice) Average Similar →
2002 The Making of 'Atlantis: The Lost Empire' Self Hit Similar →
2001 Atlantis: The Lost Empire Commander Lyle Tiberius Rourke (voice) Hit Similar →
2000 Clint Eastwood: Out of the Shadows Self Hit Similar →
2000 Space Cowboys Tank Sullivan Average Similar →
1999 One Special Night Robert Woodward Hit Similar →
1996 The Rockford Files: Friends and Foul Play Jim Rockford Hit Similar →
1996 The Rockford Files: Godfather Knows Best Jim Rockford Hit Similar →
1996 The Rockford Files: If the Frame Fits... Jim Rockford Hit Similar →
1995 Wild Bill: Hollywood Maverick Self Super Hit Similar →
1994 Maverick Marshal Zane Cooper Hit Similar →
1993 Return to 'The Great Escape' Self Hit Similar →
1993 Barbarians at the Gate F. Ross Johnson Hit Similar →
1993 Fire in the Sky Frank Watters Hit Similar →
1990 Decoration Day Albert Sidney Finch Hit Similar →
1989 My Name Is Bill W. Dr. Robert Smith Average Similar →
1986 Promise Bob Beuhler Hit Similar →
1984 Heartsounds Harold Lear Super Hit Similar →
1982 Victor/Victoria King Marchand Hit Similar →
1982 The Long Summer of George Adams George Adams Super Hit Similar →
1974 The Castaway Cowboy Lincoln Costain Hit Similar →
1974 The Rockford Files: Backlash of the Hunter Jim Rockford Super Hit Similar →
1971 Skin Game Quincy Drew Hit Similar →
1971 Support Your Local Gunfighter Latigo Hit Similar →
1970 King: A Filmed Record... Montgomery to Memphis Self (archive footage) Hit Similar →
1969 Support Your Local Sheriff! Jason McCullough Hit Similar →
1968 The Pink Jungle Ben Morris Hit Similar →
1968 How Sweet It Is! Grif Hit Similar →
1967 Hour of the Gun Marshal Wyatt Earp Hit Similar →
1966 Grand Prix Pete Aron Hit Similar →
1966 Duel at Diablo Jess Remsberg Average Similar →
1964 36 Hours Major Jefferson F. Pike Hit Similar →
1964 The Americanization of Emily Lt. Commander Charles E. Madison Hit Similar →
1963 Move Over, Darling Nicholas Arden Hit Similar →
1963 The Thrill of It All Gerald Boyer Hit Similar →
1963 The Great Escape Hendley 'The Scrounger' Super Hit Similar →
1962 The New March of Dimes Presents: The Scene Stealers Self Hit Similar →
1961 The Children's Hour Joe Cardin Super Hit Similar →
1957 Sayonara Capt. Mike Bailey Hit Similar →

James Garner - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of James Garner?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring James Garner is "The Rockford Files: Backlash of the Hunter" with a rating of 10.0/10.

How many movies has James Garner acted in?

James Garner has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by James Garner?

Other notable films include "The Long Summer of George Adams", "Heartsounds", and "Wild Bill: Hollywood Maverick".