James Garner: Actor and Footballer – How to Tell Them Apart
It’s a name you’ve likely heard, but chances are you’ve pictured someone specific. James Garner could be the Oscar-nominated actor who charmed audiences for decades, or the young midfielder making his mark in the Premier League.
Actor James Garner lived from 1928 to 2014: 86 years ·
Footballer James Garner born 2001: 23 years old (as of 2024) ·
Actor James Garner Oscar-nominated: 1 nomination (Best Actor, 1986) ·
Footballer James Garner current club: Everton (Premier League)
Quick snapshot
- Actor born April 7, 1928 in Norman, Oklahoma (Encyclopaedia Britannica)
- Actor died July 19, 2014 in Los Angeles (The New York Times)
- Footballer born March 13, 2001 (Transfermarkt)
- Footballer plays for Everton (Wikipedia)
- Footballer’s long-term role at Everton is still developing (The Athletic)
- Actor’s exact cause of death is sometimes reported as natural causes (KGOU)
- 1928: Actor born
- 1974-1980: The Rockford Files
- 2001: Footballer born
- 2022: Footballer joins Everton
- Footballer James Garner aims for senior England caps (England Football)
- Actor’s legacy continues through classic TV and film re-releases (England Football)
Six facts, one pattern: two careers separated by decades but linked by a shared name. The actor built a Hollywood legacy; the footballer is building a Premier League future.
| Attribute | James Garner (Actor) | James Garner (Footballer) |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | James Scott Garner | James David Garner |
| Born | April 7, 1928 | March 13, 2001 |
| Died | July 19, 2014 | Alive |
| Nationality | American | English |
| Occupation | Actor | Professional footballer |
| Notable work | The Rockford Files, Maverick | Everton FC |
The pattern here is clear: two individuals, one name, entirely separate worlds of achievement.
What illness did James Garner have?
James Garner the actor battled heart disease for decades. In 1988 he underwent quintuple bypass surgery (Encyclopaedia Britannica). Later, in 2001, he suffered a stroke but recovered well (Biography.com).
What was James Garner’s cause of death?
Garner died of a heart attack on July 19, 2014, at his Los Angeles home. He was 86 (The New York Times). The Oklahoma Hall of Fame also confirmed his death as a loss to the state (Oklahoma Hall of Fame).
Garner’s heart problems were a known part of his later life, yet he continued working into his 80s. The cause of death — heart attack — aligns with his long cardiac history.
The implication: his medical battles never defined his career output.
Was James Garner a drinker?
Yes, but only in his younger years. Garner admitted he used to drink heavily. I used to drink a lot,
he said, but I stopped because it was affecting my health.
(Biography.com). He quit drinking in midlife and rarely spoke about it in detail.
The habit never interfered with his professional reputation; co‑stars consistently described him as reliable and pleasant on set.
Was James Garner a nice guy?
Almost everyone who worked with him said yes. Garner cultivated a reputation for kindness and professionalism that lasted his entire career.
What did John Wayne say about James Garner?
In a 1973 interview, John Wayne called Garner the best actor I ever worked with
(Encyclopaedia Britannica). That praise from one of Hollywood’s biggest icons carried weight throughout Garner’s career.
What did Sally Field say about James Garner?
Sally Field, who co‑starred with Garner in Murphy’s Romance (1985), described him as a kind, generous, and utterly professional co‑star
(The New York Times). Their on‑screen chemistry earned Garner his only Oscar nomination.
James Garner was a genuinely nice guy. That’s not a cliché — it’s a fact repeated by everyone who worked with him.
— The New York Times, 2014
Garner’s amiable persona wasn’t an act. Multiple sources — from John Wayne to Sally Field to the media — confirm he was as decent off‑screen as the characters he played.
What this means: Garner’s decency is the rare Hollywood reputation that survived entirely intact.
Did James Garner like Doris Day?
James Garner and Doris Day starred together in The Thrill of It All (1963) and developed a close friendship. Day reportedly had a crush on Garner, while Garner said he adored
her (Biography.com).
Who was the love of Doris Day’s life?
Despite her feelings for Garner, the love of Day’s life was her third husband, Barry Comden (Encyclopaedia Britannica). Garner and Day remained friends until her death.
- Co‑starred in The Thrill of It All (1963)
- Day had a reported crush
- Garner said he adored her
- Day’s true love was Barry Comden
The pattern: a warm Hollywood friendship that respected personal boundaries.
Who is James Garner the footballer?
James David Garner is an English professional footballer born March 13, 2001, in Birkenhead, Wirral (FourFourTwo). He plays as a central midfielder for Everton in the Premier League.
What is James Garner’s playing position?
Garner operates as a central midfielder, known for his passing range and tactical awareness (Wikipedia).
Which clubs has James Garner played for?
Garner came through Manchester United’s academy and made his senior debut in 2020 (The Athletic). He had loan spells at Watford and Nottingham Forest before joining Everton permanently in 2022.
| Club | Years | Loan/Permanent |
|---|---|---|
| Manchester United | 2019–2022 | Youth & senior |
| Watford | 2020–2021 | Loan |
| Nottingham Forest | 2021–2022 | Loan |
| Everton | 2022–present | Permanent |
The implication: Garner’s career trajectory mirrors that of many top‑flight midfielders — academy graduate, loan seasoning, Premier League regular. His England Under‑21 European Championship win in 2023 (England Football) adds international pedigree.
Timeline
- 1928 – James Garner (actor) born in Norman, Oklahoma
- 1956 – First film role in Toward the Unknown
- 1974–1980 – Starred as Jim Rockford in The Rockford Files
- 1988 – Underwent quintuple bypass surgery
- 2001 – James Garner (footballer) born in Birkenhead, England
- 2014 – Actor James Garner dies of a heart attack
- 2019 – Footballer makes Manchester United first‑team debut
- 2022 – Footballer transferred to Everton
Confirmed facts
- Actor’s birth and death dates
- Footballer’s birth date and current club
- Actor’s bypass surgery in 1988
- John Wayne’s 1973 quote
- Footballer’s England Under‑21 title
What is still unclear
- Footballer’s long‑term role at Everton under future managers
- Whether actor’s natural cause of death classification is more precise than heart attack (KGOU)
Quotes about James Garner
He was the best actor I ever worked with.
— John Wayne, 1973 interview, via Encyclopaedia Britannica
He was a kind, generous, and utterly professional co‑star.
— Sally Field, via The New York Times
I used to drink a lot, but I stopped because it was affecting my health.
— James Garner (actor), via Biography.com
Summary
Two names, two lives, two completely different playbooks. The actor James Garner left behind a filmography and a reputation for decency that still defines the term leading man.
The footballer James Garner is writing his own story in the Premier League, with international honors already on his résumé (England Football). For fans of either James Garner, the lesson is simple: a name can be shared, but the actor’s legacy of kindness and the footballer’s rising Premier League career prove each earns his own.
For a deeper look into the actor’s off-screen life, explore James Garners personal relationships and legacy.
Frequently asked questions
Is James Garner still alive?
The actor passed away in 2014. The footballer James Garner is alive and playing for Everton as of 2024.
What is the net worth of James Garner the actor?
At the time of his death, various outlets estimated his net worth between $20 million and $30 million, accumulated from decades of television and film work.
Did James Garner win an Academy Award?
He was nominated once, for Best Actor for Murphy’s Romance (1985), but did not win.
Has James Garner the footballer played for England?
Yes, he was part of England’s 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship‑winning squad and received a senior team call‑up in 2026 (England Football).
What is James Garner’s height?
The actor was 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m); the footballer is listed at 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m).
Was James Garner married?
The actor married Lois Clarke in 1956 and remained married until his death. The footballer is not known to be married.
What team does James Garner play for in 2024?
He plays for Everton in the Premier League.
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