When Gretchen Corbett first hopped into a car with James Garner on the set of The Rockford Files, she had no idea what she was getting herself into. “She knew Jim was a good driver, but she didn’t realize just how skilled he was,” author Ed Robertson reveals exclusively to Closer. The scene required some intense "hairpin turns," which left the actress utterly terrified. “She confessed to me after filming that she had accidentally wet her pants!”
Half a century ago, America met The Rockford Files, and it was love at first sight. The series, centered around the charismatic everyman private detective Jim Rockford, ran for six seasons from 1974 to 1980, propelling its star James Garner to four Emmy nominations and one win. Garner once quipped, "Aside from getting beaten up by thugs and stiffed by clients every week, Rockford didn’t have a care in the world. That’s the difference between television and real life." This blend of wit and action made the show a timeless classic.
Even if Rockford did get punched in the face most episodes, he almost always caught the bad guy through a mix of quick thinking, tenacity, and sharp observation. He wasn’t your typical tough guy. Wearing a slightly worn-out blazer, he always tried to talk his way out of trouble first. Carrying a gun was rare for him; more often than not, it stayed back at his mobile home hidden in a cookie jar. “My dad had a knack for playing the underdog,” shares Gigi Garner exclusively with Closer. “People say it didn’t even look like he was acting.”
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Rockford’s Legacy: How James Garner Redefined the Detective Genre
Rockford, a wrongfully convicted ex-con, was originally conceived as a variation of the genial conman character James had played on Maverick in the early 1960s. The role leaned heavily on the actor's natural charm and humor. “Rockford was really the first private eye show to blend humor with the detective genre,” explains Robertson, author of 45 Years of The Rockford Files: An Inside Look at America’s Greatest Detective Series. “Almost every police show since then has incorporated humor into storytelling, and it all started with The Rockford Files.”
Behind the Scenes: The Making of a Classic
Every episode opened with a phone message played over Rockford’s answering machine. “The producer, who was tasked with creating these messages, would encourage staff members, including secretaries, to come up with ideas,” Robertson explains. These creative contributions helped keep the show fresh and engaging.
Car chases in Rockford’s iconic Pontiac Firebird were another highlight, showcasing James Garner’s real-life driving skills. “He was probably one of the best stunt car drivers,” says Robertson, noting that Garner honed his talent while filming 1966’s Grand Prix. “He did a lot of his own stunts,” Robertson adds, revealing that the production kept “three or four Firebirds on rotation every season to handle the wear and tear.”
The Physical Toll of Playing Rockford
James Garner wasn’t afraid to get physical for the role, performing many of his own fight scenes and pratfalls. But this took a toll on his body. “It killed me, just killed me,” Garner admitted. “Every hiatus, I had surgery on one or both knees.” By the time the series wrapped in 1980, Garner was physically and mentally exhausted. “After six years, I was completely drained,” he confessed.
Despite the challenges, The Rockford Files returned for eight reunion movies in the 1990s and continues to captivate audiences through syndication and streaming services. “My father wasn’t a fan of the autographs, premieres, and parties, but he truly loved the process of creating a show,” says Gigi. “He cherished the people he worked with, and they adored him. He really loved it.”
