James Garner Dead: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know

Actor James Garner, known for his role in The Notebook and his roles on the television shows Maverick and The Rockford Files, died the night of July 19. Police responded to a call from his Brentwood, California, home at around 8 p.m. on the 19th, but no cause of death has been released, according to the Los Angeles Times. He was 86.

Here’s what you need to know about this talented actor:

1. He Played Ryan Gosling’s Older Self in The Notebook

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Garner played the aged version of Ryan Gosling’s character in The Notebook, which tells the love story of Allie and Noah, who overcame social differences to live a life full of love. The movie is based off the Nicholas Sparks novel of the same name. Garner was nominated for a SAG award for his role.

2. He Played the Grandfather on ABC’s ‘8 Simple Rules … for Dating My Teenage Daughter’

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Garner joined the cast of 8 Simple Rules … For Dating My Teenage Daughter in 2003 after John Ritter, the star of the show, passed away at age 54. Garner played Jim Egan, the family’s grandfather, who moved in with his daughter Cate and granddaughters Bridget and Kerry after the passing of John Ritter’s patriarchal character, Paul Hennessy.

3. He Starred in Maverick and The Rockford Files

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Garner starred in two hit television television shows during his career. He played Bret Maverick in the 1950s western-comedy series Maverick and Jim Rockford in the 1970s detective drama The Rockford Files. Garner was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 1990.

4. He Has a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

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Garner has a star on the north side of the 6900 block of Hollywood Boulevard, according to the Los Angeles Times. He was nominated for an Oscar in 1986 and received the Screen Actor’s Guild’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005. He was awarded the Career Achievement Award by the Television Critics Association in 2010.

5. He’s Survived by His Wife and 2 Children

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Garner leaves behind one biological daughter and one step daughter as well as his wife, Lois, who he married 14 days after meeting. Garner had several health problems starting in the 1970s, including issues with his knees, quintuple bypass surgery and a small stroke.