Garner played several leads in such enjoyable minor fare as DARBY'S RANGERS (1958) and CASH MCCALL (1959) but it was really as "Maverick" wound down that Garner was ballyhooed as the next Clark Gable. William Wyler's 1961 remake of THE CHILDREN'S HOUR gave him the least showy lead as a man in love with a woman involved in an implied lesbian affair, but at least the film helped to counteract criticism that his was primarily a lightweight talent. Still, his most popular films of the period were those which spotlighted Garner's wry, easygoing reticence amid comic mayhem. THE THRILL OF IT ALL and MOVE OVER, DARLING (both 1963) substituted him for Rock Hudson opposite Hollywood's most popular star at that time, Doris Day, and even the exciting war pic, THE GREAT ESCAPE (1963) went for laughs as much as thrills. Indeed, by the time of the enjoyable SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL SHERIFF! (1969) and SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL GUNFIGHTER (1971), Garner was back in "Maverick" territory, with the zaniness quotient gone through the roof.
Some critics found Garner lacking the necessary I've-seen-it-all cynicism to play Raymond Chandler's MARLOWE (1969), but the provocative comedy THE SKIN GAME (1971) and especially his return to the small screen in "The Rockford Files" (1974-80) foregrounded the maturity he had possessed all along. Slightly heavier, his features settling into middle age, Garner made detective Jim Rockford into a likably relaxed loner. The humor was quieter, more often than not aimed ruefully at the "system" or affectionately at his aging father (Noah Beery, Jr.). Critics and colleagues were as receptive as fans and Garner received five Emmy nominations in as many years, winning once in 1977.
Garner's film career went on hold during the run of "Rockford" and has been spotty since. The brittle farce VICTOR/VICTORIA (1982) found him in good form on familiar ground, but he clearly could not continue in romantic leads. MURPHY'S ROMANCE (1985) deservedly brought him an Oscar nomination and showed he could move gracefully into older roles, but Garner was by then typed as a TV star. Adapting to the situation, Garner turned producer and set up some of the most acclaimed work of his career. PROMISE (1986) was a beautifully rendered duet with Garner as a man who must take over the care of his schizophrenic brother (James Woods), and MY NAME IS BILL W. (1989) reteamed Garner and Woods in the story of the founding of Alcoholics Anonymous. His revival series, "Bret Maverick," and his attempt at sitcom, "Man of the People," faded rather quickly, but Garner enjoyed showcase roles in such TV presentations as DECORATION DAY (1990) and BARBARIANS AT THE GATE (1993), the HBO special in which Garner played American Express chief James Robinson engaged in the RJR Nabisco corporate shootout that epitomized the 1980s.
In the 90s Garner assumed such supporting feature roles as the paternal Texas ranger who must handle a UFO report in FIRE IN THE SKY (1993). The former star of "Maverick" went on to play Zane Cooper in the 1994 film version, which had Mel Gibson in the title role. Garner displayed his usual wit and charm as the lawman hot on Bret Maverick's trail.
More recent credits include MY FELLOW AMERICANS (1996), TWILIGHT (1998), SPACE COWBOYS (2000), DIVINE SECRETS OF THE YA-YA SISTERHOOD (2002), the role of Jim Egan on 45 episodes of "8 Simple Rules... for Dating My Teenage Daughter" (2003-05, TV), THE NOTEBOOK and AL ROACH: PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR (both 2004), THE ULTIMATE GIFT (2006), FIRST NIGHT (2007), and THE MAGIC SHOE (scheduled for 2008).
Nominated for Actor 1985: MURPHY'S ROMANCE
1 nomination