Forgive me for bumping an old thread, but....
I was away on vacation until last week, and I didn't even learn of Mr. Garner's passing until I returned. It was a genuine "get away from it all" type of vacation, and televisions and computers were not welcome.
Some of my earliest memories are of watching syndicated re-runs of Maverick, and then later The Rockford Files. What great fun those characters were. Then, as I got older, I was able to rediscover Mr. Garner through Murphy's Romance, and that led me to truly discover him for the first time as a film actor, as I began looking for his other movies. I was surprised at the time to learn what an accomplished and varied screen actor he was. His art translated equally well both on the tube and the screen. And I, like another poster, completely adored his work in The Americanization of Emily. This is my favorite clip
http://www.tcm.com/mediaroom/video/5...dious-Lot.html
I've never been much for hero worship or the idolization of celebrities, but Mr. Garner was a bit of an exception to that personal rule. He came off as intelligent, compassionate, and strong, and I'm unaware of anybody who ever had anything negative to say about the man. I admired him, and that's my highest compliment.
Again, pardon the late bumping of the thread, and thanks for allowing me to share a few of my thoughts on somebody I really, REALLY liked, even though we never met.
