James Garner (born Norman, Oklahoma, April 7, 1928) is an American film and television actor of partially Cherokee Indian descent. He starred in several television series that spanned a career of five decades, including his roles as Bret Maverick in the popular western-comedy series, Maverick (1957–1960), Jim Rockford in the popular crime drama, The Rockford Files (1974–1980), and Jim Egan in the popular but short-lived comedy, 8 Simple Rules (2003–2005), and made dozens of movies, including the classics The Great Escape (1963) and Paddy Chayefsky's The Americanization of Emily (1964). Toward the end of April 2006, Garner returned to his hometown for a short visit. While there the city unveiled a ten foot bronze cast statue of Garner as Bret Maverick placed downtown, named a street after him, and dubbed the downtown Main Street area the James Garner corridor. The Norman Public School System also awarded Garner with an honorary High School diploma.

=An Okie in Korea

= Garner was born James Scott Baumgarner in Norman, Oklahoma to Weldon Warren Baumgarner and Mildred Meek. After an endless number of early bad jobs, he joined the Merchant Marine at 16. He was later in the National Guard before being drafted into the Korean War, where he received a Purple Heart.

After modeling Jantzen bathing suits in print ads, in 1954 Garner had a non-speaking role in the Broadway production of The Caine Mutiny Court Martial, where he watched Henry Fonda at close quarters night after night. He subsequently moved on to television commercials and eventually to television roles. His first movie appearances were in The Girl He Left Behind and Toward the Unknown in 1956.

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