James Garner: Love of His Life, Health, and Relationships

James Garner was the kind of actor who made stardom look effortless — a sly grin, a deadpan delivery, and an everyman quality that never felt rehearsed. But beyond the charming characters, his real life was anchored by a small circle of people he trusted deeply — starting with Lois Clarke, whom he married in 1956 after a whirlwind two-week courtship, a decision he called “the best decision I ever made.”

Born: April 7, 1928 in Norman, Oklahoma ·
Died: July 19, 2014 at age 86 ·
Career Span: 1954 to 2014 ·
Notable Roles: Maverick, The Rockford Files ·
Oscar Nomination: 1986 for Murphy’s Romance

Six key facts capture James Garner’s identity in a single glance.

Who was James Garner’s love of his life?

James Garner and Lois Clarke married life

• According to Wikipedia, Garner married Lois Clarke on August 17, 1956, after a two-week courtship.
• BBC News reported the couple remained married until his death in 2014.
• Garner once said, per Wikipedia, “I was just absolutely nuts about her.”

Clarke was nine years older than Garner and had a daughter from a previous marriage who was recovering from polio when they met. Garner embraced both mother and child, forming a blended family that he called his greatest achievement. The implication: Garner’s unwavering commitment to Clarke, forged in a brief courtship, stood in contrast to Hollywood’s revolving-door marriages and became the emotional anchor of his life.

What did John Wayne say about James Garner?

John Wayne’s respect for James Garner

• According to the biography site thewritelife61, John Wayne called Garner “the best American actor” in a 1973 interview.
• Wayne starred with Garner in The Comancheros (1961), as noted by Wikipedia.
• Garner considered Wayne a mentor, thewritelife61 reports.

The respect was mutual; Garner later praised Wayne’s professionalism and work ethic. The pattern: John Wayne’s public stamp of approval placed Garner in an elite circle of actors the Duke genuinely admired, a rare compliment from one of Hollywood’s toughest icons.

What illness did James Garner have?

James Garner heart surgery and health issues

• According to Wikipedia, Garner underwent quintuple bypass heart surgery in 1988.
• BBC News reported that he suffered a severe stroke in 2008 and had surgery on May 11 of that year.
• Garner died of a heart attack on July 19, 2014, at age 86, according to BBC News and Wikipedia.

Garner kept his health struggles largely private, but the procedures forced him to slow down in his later years. The trade-off: resilience through major surgeries mirrored the tough-guy roles he played, though he never complained publicly.

What did Sally Field say about James Garner?

Sally Field and James Garner friendship on set

• BBC News notes that Field co-starred with Garner in Murphy’s Romance (1985).
• According to thewritelife61, she described him as a wonderful actor and human being.
• Their on-screen chemistry earned Garner an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor, as BBC News reported.

Field later called Garner a close friend and was deeply affected by his death. The pattern: the bond between Field and Garner shows that his off-screen personality matched the likable characters he played — a rare consistency in Hollywood.

Did James Garner love Doris Day?

James Garner and Doris Day special friendship

• According to BBC News, Garner and Day co-starred in The Thrill of It All (1963) and Move Over, Darling (1963).
• The same source reports they maintained a close, platonic friendship for decades.
• Garner admired Day’s warmth and professionalism, thewritelife61 suggests.

Their on-screen chemistry in two 1963 comedies sparked rumors, but Garner and Day both insisted it was a deep, respectful friendship. The implication: in an industry where on-screen romance often blurs into real life, Garner and Day maintained a professional and affectionate bond that lasted.

Why did James Garner not like Charles Bronson?

James Garner and Charles Bronson on-set conflict

• Wikipedia notes Garner and Bronson had a difficult working relationship during The Great Escape (1963).
• According to thewritelife61, Garner described Bronson as unpleasant and unprofessional in his memoir, The Garner Files.
• The exact reason for the feud remains unclear, but Garner never softened his view, Wikipedia implies.

The tension on the set of the classic war film was well known among the cast. The catch: even on one of the most beloved films of all time, not everyone got along — and Garner wasn’t afraid to say so.

How did James Garner die?

James Garner cause of death

• BBC News reported Garner died of a heart attack on July 19, 2014, at his home in Los Angeles.
• His death was confirmed by his family, according to the same BBC report.
• The Los Angeles Police Department attributed the cause to natural causes due to coronary artery disease, BBC News noted.

After a career that spanned 60 years, Garner passed away peacefully at 86. Why this matters: his quiet passing was in keeping with his private nature — a man who gave his all on screen but kept his struggles close to his chest.

For fans of classic Hollywood, Garner’s legacy is a reminder that true star power comes from authenticity — not just on screen, but in the quietly honest relationships he kept for a lifetime. Whether it was his unwavering loyalty to Lois, his respect for mentors like John Wayne, or his willingness to speak out about difficult co-stars, James Garner remains a model of integrity in an industry often short on it. For anyone looking for a blueprint on how to navigate fame with grace, the choice is clear: follow Garner’s lead, or watch the spectacle from the sidelines.