The Associated Press
“Jim was a mentor to me and a friend, and I will miss him.” — Tom Selleck, who early in his career guest-starred on Garner’s series “The Rockford Files.”
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Garner was “a hell of a driver. He truly was a ‘man’s man.’ Jim was a friend, and when he came to Indianapolis as a spectator and pace car driver we obviously welcomed him with open arms.” — Parnelli Jones, two-time Indy 500 winner.
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“My heart just broke. There are few people on this planet I have adored as much as Jimmy Garner. I cherish every moment I spent with him and relive them over and over in my head. He was a diamond.” — Sally Field, who co-starred with Garner in the 1985 film “Murphy’s Romance.”
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Shirley Jones recalled that in the mid-1950s she arrived in Hollywood and landed the lead role in “Oklahoma!” Before location shooting began, she was invited by a photographer to join him for dinner with another promising young star — James Garner. “I see this gorgeous man and I said, ‘Oh, my!’ He was very sweet. We went to this little restaurant and I told him, ‘You’re gonna be a giant star.’ He said, ‘How? I’m not sure I know how to act.'”
Jones said she followed his ascent but didn’t run into him again for decades until they co-starred in the 1984 film “Tank.” ”Not only was he a great actor, but he didn’t hit on me,” she said. “He didn’t have that reputation, like a lot of actors I worked with. He was very married, a family man. And a real straight-on guy.”
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“R.I.P James Garner. Such a lovely man”– Gary Sinise, who appeared with Garner in the 1989 TV film “My Name is Bill W.” (Twitter)
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“So sad to hear that James Garner has gone. A real part of my childhood Rockford and the Maverick especially” — actor-comedian Stephen Fry (Twitter)
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“Away from home; can’t sleep. Now sad to read my dear friend & costar James Garner passed. RIP sweet Jim Rockford” — Marlee Matlin, who appeared with Garner in the 1997 TV film “Dead Silence” (Twitter)
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