James Garner, the masterful feature film and television star who has always made his craft look easy, has been awarded the Screen Actors Guild's most prestigious honor -- its Life Achievement Award for career and humanitarian accomplishment.
The award goes annually to an actor who fosters the "finest ideals of the acting profession." A former SAG vice president and board member, Garner will receive the award at the 11th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards, which will air live on Turner Network Television next February.
A three-time SAG Award nominee, an Academy Award nominee, and a two-time Emmy Award recipient, Garner has smoothly transitioned between film and television. He has headlined many projects in both mediums during his prolific career, creating a host of memorable characters. For three decades, audiences worldwide have been delighted by Garner's portrayal of wry detective Jim Rockford, whom he introduced in the 1974-80 series "The Rockford Files" and brought to television again in seven movies beginning in 1994. The role earned Garner an Emmy in 1977 and two consecutive SAG Award nominations in 1995 and 1996.
In making the award announcement last week, SAG President Melissa Gilbert said, "James Garner is more than just one of America's finest actors. He is a man who has served his peers, his community, and his country with integrity and quiet generosity. One of my favorite responsibilities as SAG president is calling each year's Life Achievement Award recipient to tell them we are honoring them. This year was extra special for me because James Garner's performances have made me laugh and cry for as long as I can remember. He epitomizes class, style, wit, and depth. He serves as a role model for all of America's actors. This award is most deserved."
Garner has been honored for outstanding performances throughout his career. An Oscar nominee for his title role in "Murphy's Romance" (1985), he received Golden Globe Awards and Emmy nominations for the Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation "Decoration Day" (1990) and for playing business tycoon F. Ross Johnson in the miniseries "Barbarians at the Gate."
Other accolades include both Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for his touching performance in 1993-94's highest rated telefilm, the Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation "Breathing Lessons," as well as for his roles in the Peabody Award-winning telefilms "Heartsounds" with Mary Tyler Moore (1984) and "Promise" with James Woods (1986). "Promise" won five Emmy Awards, including one for Garner as executive producer. In 1989, the Garner-Duchow-produced Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation "My Name is Bill W.," also starring Woods, received seven Emmy nominations, including nods to Garner for best supporting actor and executive producer.
Garner was born on April 7, 1928, in Norman, Okla. His father, Weldon Bumgarner, was of European ancestry. His mother, Mildred, who was half Cherokee, died when Garner was five. He left home at 14, enlisted in the Merchant Marines at 16, and then followed his father to Los Angeles. After attending Hollywood High School, he became Oklahoma's first draftee of the Korean conflict. Injured twice, he was awarded a Purple Heart.
After the war, a small part in a Broadway production of "The Caine Mutiny Court Martial" led to a contract with Warner Bros. He made his television debut with Clint Walker on "Cheyenne" and his feature film debut in "Toward the Unknown." A noted performance as Marlon Brando's friend in "Sayonara" led to the leading role in the immensely popular Western television series "Maverick." Since then, he has starred in roughly 40 films, including "The Children's Hour," "The Great Escape," "Grand Prix," "Move Over, Darling," and "Support Your Local Sheriff."
-- Roger Armbrust