Millions of fans would disagree.
The star, who died Saturday night at age 86 reportedly from natural causes, enjoyed a career that spanned more than 50 years in television and film, and included such iconic shows as “Maverick” and “The Rockford Files,” and film blockbusters “Victor/Victoria” and “The Notebook.”
TV made him a leading man, and he, in turn, challenged the idea of what a hero could be.
More on Garner: James Garner gracefully bore the weight of stardom
James Garner of 'Maverick,' 'Rockford Files' dies at 86
In both “Maverick” (1957-60) and “The Rockford Files” (1974-80), Garner played charmers who would rather use their wits than resort to fisticuffs or firearms to get out of trouble. Garner’s perpetually down-on-his-luck Jim Rockford in particular influenced a generation of script writers and paved the way for the more complicated, flawed heroes who now rule prime time.
Garner was nominated for an Oscar for his role in the 1985 romantic comedy “Murphy’s Romance” opposite Sally Field, but of all his work, he told reporters he was proudest of the anti-war film “The Americanization of Emily” (1964). He played a confirmed coward who inadvertently becomes a World War II hero.
In real life, he received two Purple Hearts for injuries suffered during the Korean War.
Garner also was one of the best pitchmen in the history of commercials, in a series of well-received spots for Polaroid with actress Mariette Hartley throughout the ’70s and early ’80s. The two had such chemistry, many viewers believed they had to be a real couple. An exasperated Hartley finally wore a T-shirt stating, “I am NOT Mrs. James Garner.”
Among his later works, in addition to playing the older version of Ryan Gosling in the 2004 tearjerker “The Notebook,” Garner played the grandfather on the comedy “8 Simple Rules” from 2003-05, taking over the position of family patriarch after John Ritter died suddenly during shooting. He even provided the voice of the Almighty in the short-lived animated series “God, the Devil and Bob” in 2000.
Of his career, Garner told Charlie Rose in 2002, “I had no ambition. I didn’t want to be a star. I just wanted to make a living.”
Almost 35 years after its last episode, “The Rockford Files” continues to thrive in syndication. It currently airs weekdays on MeTV, where a new generation is discovering James Garner’s easygoing charms.
