Remembering James Garner: The Man Behind the Smile
It’s been almost four years since Hollywood legend James Garner passed away at the age of 86 in July 2014. For many, he was the epitome of charm and integrity on-screen, but for his daughter Gigi Garner, he was simply "a good guy." Gigi, now 60, spoke exclusively to Closer Weekly about her late father, sharing heartfelt memories and insights into the man behind the Hollywood persona.
Gigi fondly remembers her dad as someone who went out of his way to stay connected with her, no matter where life took him. "He was just a good guy — the guy with the white hat," she says, painting a vivid picture of a man who prioritized family and kindness above all else.
James and his stepdaughter, Kimberly Garner.
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A Love Story That Withstood Time
Gigi was born in January 1958 to James and his beloved wife, Lois Clarke, just two years after the Maverick star tied the knot with Lois. Their love story began in the most unexpected of places — an Adlai Stevenson for President rally in 1956. "I fell in love for the first and last time on Aug. 1, 1956, at the Adlai Stevenson for President rally — he lost, I won. That’s where I met Lois Clarke. It was love at first sight," James once recalled.
Despite the challenges that came with their backgrounds — James' Methodist family opposed his marriage to Lois, who is Jewish — the couple's love was undeniable. In fact, James proposed just two weeks after meeting Lois. "James won't like me telling this, but a tear ran down his cheek when I said yes," Lois once revealed. "‘I never thought anybody would love me,’ he said."
