The famous protagonist James Garnerthe classic “Maverick“, was one of the most familiar faces of the show, who never managed to become a superstar, but entered our homes perhaps more times than many legends of American cinema, starring in huge television hits.

The likable persona he had developed through dozens of films and television series, his masculine gentleness, his open-hearted smile, his dynamism and even the confidence he inspired had nothing to do with James Garner’s tormented adolescence, as he had brutally abused by his father’s second wife, which affected him throughout his life.

His acting career, spanning over five decades, his participation in many notable films and some outstanding performances, would perhaps not be enough to make him one of the most beloved actors, if he had not starred in the western comedy series “Maverick”, in the eponymous role of the invincible card player, which lasted from 1957 to 1962 and every week millions of viewers tuned in to watch his delightful adventures. And then, in the 70s, playing him Jim Rockfordthe resourceful Californian private detective in the series “The Rockford Files”a role that also earned him an Emmy Award in 1977.

But James Garner was also a very good actor, with standout performances in many commercial successes, among the more than fifty films he made, such as “Great Escape”, “The Notebook”his last major success, which brought him close to the Oscar and of course the film “Maverick”, alongside Mel Gibsonplaying his father.

It has already been 10 years since his death (July 19, 2014) and it is an opportunity to remember his best moments in cinema, but also to know the unknown tragic times he lived as a child and which deeply hurt him.

The evil stepmother

THE James Scott Bumgarner, as was his real name, was born in Denver, Oklahoma on April 7, 1928. Garner, who also had two older brothers, Jack who was also an actor and the Charles, he will have the misfortune of losing his mother at a very young age. After her death, he will be sent, together with his siblings, to live with relatives, while in 1934 he will return to the arms of his father, who had the misfortune to remarry, Vilma, a woman who beat all three of his children, while really taking out all her anger on little James. Confirming her fairytale legend “evil stepmother”, Vilma will punish him several times, forcing him to wear women’s dresses in public, while at the age of 14, he will have a terrible episode with her, from which he came out blackened. That’s it. He will make the decision to leave his family and never return. His brother Jack would later state that “she was a damned woman.”

Wounded in Korea

Garner would then work, as a mere child, at many jobs that he did not like, while after World War II, he went with his father to Los Angeles and enrolled in Hollywood High School, where he became the most popular student, but eventually returned to Denver, where he played American football and basketball. However, he dropped out of school to continue his “studies” in the army. It will be classified in National Guard in California and after 7 months it will be sent to Korea, to fight 14 months as a soldier. In the jungles of Korea he will be wounded twice – by friendly fire – while years later he will declare that he lived through very difficult times there and considered himself lucky to have returned to his homeland.

Studying Henry Fonda

In 1954, a friend convinced him to accept a supporting role in a Broadway production, with the more serious argument that he would be able to closely study Henry Fonda, who was starring in the play. He would then enter the field of television advertising and very quickly television, where he began to get some roles. In 1957, he would begin playing supporting roles and change his name to Garner.

Brando and Maverick

1957, however, will be a significant year for Garner, as after his participation in the film “Sayonara“, by Marlon Brando, will take the biggest leap of his career by taking on the role of Maverick in the TV series of the same name. The huge success of the series from the first episodes would make him famous all over America, while the critics idolized him.

Whispers of apotheosis

After his episodic and painful departure from Warner Bros, the decade of the 60s will not be very encouraging for Garner, who will find himself on the sidelines for some time. Until the proposal comes from the huge one William Wylerto star in the emotional drama “The Whispers» between Audrey Hepburn and Shirley MacLaine. An excellent film that will take off his career and make him one of the most desirable actors in Hollywood.

The escape with marijuana

1963 will be the year of huge success “The great Escape“, a classic war adventure of his John Sturgess co-starring alongside Steve McQueen.

The avenue of fame is now wide open for Garner, who will now work relentlessly into his old age, while in the 70s he will also have the huge television success of the crime series “The Rockford Files». However, his childhood wounds had not healed and as it turned out, Garner had fallen into addictions. From the “innocent” marijuana that he smoked almost all his life and the cocaine, which he tried with the “kind sponsorship” of John Belushi, but he did not like it, until the excessive consumption of alcohol. Always trying to forget. He once said that “I smoked marijuana for 50 years and I really don’t know where I would be without it. It opened my mind and now relieves my arthritis. After decades of experience, I have come to the conclusion that marijuana should be legal and alcohol should be illegal.”

The calendar and Mel

Garner, who worked with almost all the stars of the film industry of his time and important directors, will give excellent performances in the films ‘Move Over, Darling’, ‘Grand Prix’, ‘Hour of the Gun’, ‘Little Indian’, ‘Victor Victoria’, ‘Space Cowboys’ (where he will meet Clint Eastwood, Donald Sutherland and Tommy Lee Jones) and of course the “Calendar“, with which he will be nominated for the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in 2004. It goes without saying that his very good moments also include the film “Maverick”, shot by Richard Donner and will develop a special chemistry with the protagonist Mel Gibsonwho plays his son.

James Garner, who was politically anxious, detested the conservative and hypocritical circles of his elite Hollywoodwas his supporter Martin Luther King and had an ecological action, he will die in the summer of 2014 from a stroke, leaving behind a rich work and above all his beloved physiognomy. Oh, and a poker bluff for all those who didn’t want to acknowledge his acting ability and contribution to cinema.