James Garner: Illness, Colleague Quotes, and Legacy

When Hollywood stories often revolve around egos and rivalries, James Garner seemed to be the exception everyone agreed on. The actor who brought Jim Rockford and Bret Maverick to life built a career on charm, grit, and an easy authenticity that colleagues rarely stopped praising.

Birth: April 7, 1928 ·
Death: July 19, 2014 ·
Birth name: James Scott Bumgarner ·
Profession: Actor ·
Film debut: The Girl He Left Behind (1956) ·
Notable series: Maverick (1957–1962), The Rockford Files (1974–1980)

Nine key facts about James Garner’s life and career form the backbone of his personal profile.

What illness did James Garner have?

Cause of death

• James Garner died of a heart attack at age 86 on July 19, 2014 (BBC News (UK public broadcaster)). Rolling Stone described his death as due to natural causes, noting that he was “one of the most iconic actors in TV history” (Rolling Stone (music and pop culture magazine)).

Health struggles in later years

• Garner had suffered a severe stroke in 2008 that left him with ongoing health problems (BBC News). He also underwent coronary bypass surgery years before his death, though the exact timeline is not widely reported. His obituaries consistently noted that his death came after “years of poor health” following the stroke.

The implication: For all his on-screen toughness, Garner’s final years were a private ordeal. The lack of detailed public reporting on his heart condition means much of what we know remains at the level of obituary summaries.

Was James Garner a drinker?

• Garner was known to enjoy a drink socially but was never described as a heavy or problem drinker. The famous phrase “Never play poker with James Garner” — often repeated in Hollywood circles — refers to his calm, unreadable demeanor at the card table, not to any reputation for intoxication. The phrase reportedly originated from a fellow actor who said Garner was “too cool to bluff” (attributed by a fan page, The Official James Garner Fan Page (unverified source)).

The pattern: Hollywood lore sometimes conflates being a good poker player with being a heavy drinker. In Garner’s case, the evidence points to moderation — his drinking was never a plot point in his biographies or news coverage.

Did James Garner like Doris Day?

On-screen chemistry

• Garner and Doris Day starred together in the 1963 film Move Over, Darling. In his autobiography The Garner Files, Garner described Day as “a wonderful lady” and said they had a “very easy” working relationship (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)).

Personal relationship

• There has been speculation about a deeper romantic connection, but no credible source confirms anything beyond professional respect and friendship. Garner remained married to Lois Clarke until his death, and Day was married multiple times. The question “Did James Garner like Doris Day?” is best answered with Garner’s own words: he liked her as a colleague and a person.

The trade-off: the public’s desire for a romance narrative often overshadows the simpler truth of a genuine professional friendship. Garner never hinted at more than that in any published interview.

What did John Wayne say about James Garner?

• According to a post on The Official James Garner Fan Page, John Wayne — in a 1973 interview — reportedly called Garner “the best actor in the world today” (Facebook fan page (unverified source)). The quote is widely circulated among Garner admirers, but its exact origin has not been confirmed by a primary source.

The catch: This quote appears only in fan-curated posts, not in established biographies or Wayne’s own memoirs. It carries the weight of Hollywood legend rather than documented fact.

What did Sally Field say about James Garner?

• Sally Field worked with Garner on the 1985 film Murphy’s Romance and later on CBS News Sunday Morning reportedly said that Garner gave her “the best kiss I ever had in my life” (Facebook fan page (unverified source)). In another fan-page video caption, Field is said to have called Garner “the best kisser she had ever kissed” (Facebook video (unverified source)).

Why this matters: Field’s comment — whether verbatim or paraphrased — reflects the deep affection colleagues felt for Garner. It aligns with the broader pattern of co-stars describing him as kind, professional, and genuinely likable.

Was James Garner a nice guy?

Reputation among peers

• Multiple co-stars and industry figures described Garner as “kind”, “professional”, and “without ego” (BBC News). IMDb’s biography notes that Garner was “known for his easy charm and lack of pretension” (IMDb (film database)).
• His willingness to stand up for actors’ rights — he was active in the Screen Actors Guild and supported union disputes — also contributed to his respected status (Wikipedia).

Colleagues’ anecdotes

• Doris Day remembered him as “a gentleman” in her own memoirs. Sally Field’s effusive praise is the most quoted example, but several other co-stars echoed similar sentiments. The consistency across sources — even those with low verification — suggests a genuine pattern.

The implication: Garner’s “nice guy” label isn’t marketing fluff — it is backed by decades of consistent peer testimony.

How did James Garner die?

• Garner died of a heart attack at his home in Los Angeles on July 19, 2014. The Los Angeles County Coroner confirmed the cause as a heart attack, with contributing factors including his previous stroke and cardiovascular disease (BBC News).
• Rolling Stone reported that his death came “peacefully” and that he was surrounded by family (Rolling Stone).

The trade-off: The phrase “died of natural causes” often conceals a complex medical history. In Garner’s case, the 2008 stroke and subsequent decline were the real story behind the one-line obituary.

“He was the best actor in the world today.”

— reportedly John Wayne, 1973 (via Facebook fan page)

“The best kiss I ever had in my life.”

— reportedly Sally Field, on CBS News Sunday Morning (via Facebook fan page)

“Doris Day was a wonderful lady.”

— James Garner, from his autobiography The Garner Files (via Wikipedia)

For anyone wondering whether the “nice guy” reputation was deserved, the evidence is lopsided: every co-star who spoke publicly had nothing but admiration. The unanswered questions — about his heart condition timeline, about the depth of his bond with Doris Day — are minor compared to the clear picture of a man who handled fame without losing his footing.

For a deeper look into the friendships and tributes that shaped his career, readers can explore James Garners relationships and legacy.

Frequently asked questions

For anyone interested in further reading, check out Elvis Presley: Death, Relationships, and Legacy – Full Biography and Diane Ladd: Cause of Death, Family, and Career Highlights.