Gerald McRaney Shares a Great Story about ‘Rockford Files’ Star James Garner | The Rich Eisen Show
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- Опубліковано 21 вер 2024
- Emmy Award-winning actor Gerald McRaney joins the Rich Eisen Show in-studio where he tells a great story about ‘The Rockford Files’ star James Garner.
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Jim Garner has been gone for 8 years already and his wife just passed away last year at the age of 98.Nice to see Jim is still remembered with respect.
Hard to believe, as I only see James Garner as Rockford in my mind. Still young and handsome. Some people you never picture as ever dying.
Wow
James Garner ♥
Always remembered...
Was my dads favourite, in Rockford, and mine too. Always down to earth and never thought of himself as a “star” RIP Jim.
@@briansalisbury4764 You're exactly right. Angie Dickinson is in her 90's but no matter, I still 'see' her as Police Woman, utterly lovely!
Great story, but I want to say something about Gerald McRaney. I am also in the business, I was talking back to my office and Gerald was getting out of his vehicle. I said, big fan, nice to meet you, I am in post-production. He stopped, we chatted, and he asked me some questions, about some of my current projects! What a gentleman, I left feeling this guy knows how to treat people. I meet a lot of folks in this business, and he is a standout!
Gerald Mccraney did a magnificent job on Longmire
Sounds like you will have to pass on the tradition when an up-and-comer reaches out to you 10-15 yrs from now and says, "hey, just wanted to let you know, I'm a big fan, and it is my pleasure to meet you". Then, you can spend a few minutes and tell them about Jim Garner, Gerald McRaney and how the tradition is being passed down from one decent, grounded person to another.
Thanks for sharing your story.
Jim Garner just a total class act! He exuded a temperament and nature that cannot be faked and an authenticity that is as rare as it is becoming.
Very well said..........You could just tell he was a naturally good guy..........RIP
I agree. Was always one of my favorites. Just a quiet dignity he exuded.
I bet he was happy to leave the executive in the waiting room for a while too.
And evidently it drove Steve McQueen and his wife insane. LOL if you've ever seen the anniversary printing of the Great escape they have interviews in it. In one of the interviews Steve McQueen's wife explains how James Gardner tried to steal Steve's movie. LOL
A lot of those actors from that time period were combat veterans.
James Garner recieved 2 Purple Hearts from serving in the Korean War.
When you read James Garner's autobiography, you quickly realize he was not your typical Hollywood buffoon. He was one of the few good guys... Luv that Gerald shared his story, which is COMPLETELY in character with the man.
I read James Garner's biography shortly before he passed. And he wasn't your typical Hollywood buffoon, I agree.
I read Mr. Garner's autobiography as well Thomas! He has always been one of my favorite down to Earth persons of Tinsel Town! And I have always enjoyed Mr. McRaney as well! Both are class Acts! Cheers From Ohio
Ole Gerald was something to watch in “Longmire”, huh? In comparison with “Simon and Simon” and “Major Dad”, that is.
@@donaldhollums3278 I have always enjoyed Mr. McRaney's Resume of work! I loved his part in "House Of Cards"...he was absolutely in Rare Form with that character! I have to say, I did not watch "Major Dad" but I did enjoy "Simon To Simon" back in the day as it was great TV right there with "The Rockford Files" and Selleck's "Magnum PI" and many of those styles of shows. I must check out "Longmire" as well. Cheers Donald!
Thank you Gerald for sharing that story.
Jim Garner, one of the greats. Tom Selleck co starred in 3 episodes of the Rockford Files in the late 70`s and he was so impressed with the way Jim ran the set and treated his co stars and crew at the time he said to himself, if I ever have the opportunity to have my own series I will run it the exact same way Jim is running his. A year later he landed Magnum P.I. and Tom did just that.
John, the episodes with Tom Selleck were so funny. As Lance White, he really annoyed Jim and was totally clueless about it.
@@AzucaNegra16 They sure were. Gut busting funny.
@@AzucaNegra16 Yeah lol, Lance would say things like 'things just always work out Jim', because they did for him of course lol
@@blindriv3r yep, and he was clueless to how much he annoyed Jim.
@@AzucaNegra16 Those episodes are classics. If Lance White is around, Rockfish is gonna have a bad day. Yes, that was a Gandy Fitch reference.
James Garner WAS Jim Rockford in real life too. Gets my vote for coolest guy ever.
Well he did hold his own in a movie with Steve McQueen who was the coolest guy ever
@@daleferber2096 Steve McQueen was prima donna. He thought "The Great Escape" was "his movie". It was an ensemble cast, but one could say that it was really Richard Attenborough's movie. It was just that Steve McQueen was such a big star that they needed him on the poster to promote the movie.
RIP James Garner. You are missed.
I had a brief encounter with James Garner in Philadelphia, at the Premiere of Darby’s Rangers. I was a singer in a U S Army choral group. He had his picture made with us. He spoke with us individually, and shook our hands-all 32 of us. Impressed the hell out of me.
That's so cool ! I never got to meet the man...but he always seemed to be so down to earth and appreciative of where he was and how he got there never thinking he was better than others ! I have a story for you. My best friend and I have been friends for over 40 years, we were in a Heavy Metal band, I was lead singer, he was my guitarist. Neither of us were ever big fans of country...but in the late 1990's he turned me on to one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard called "Erase the Miles" it's about how tough it is to be in a band in a long term relationship which both me and my friend were going thru at the time. The shock was this song was BLUE GRASS ! We enjoyed the rest of the album as well, it was by a bluegrass group called IIIrd Tyme Out ( youtube it, it will make you cry ) anyway, fast forward to last year. My friend called me and said....next weekend we're all ( Me & my Wife Sarah, He and his wife Erica ) we're going to Sparta, TN. to the Earl Scruggs Bluegrass Festival to see IIrd Tyme Out. Now this festival had a Classic Car Show and continious Bluegrass music from Noon to midnight for 3 days. After IIrd Tyme Out played. I approached a Gentleman sitting close to the stage that I assumed was security and told him. "Me, my wife, my best friend and his wife are HUGE fans, we drove over 6 hours from Kentucky just to come and see IIIrd Tyme Out do Across the Miles...that song means a lot to all of us. We're not trying to get autographs or anything...I know the lead singer Russell Moore wrote it and we just want to let him know what that song means to us...can we get a minute alone and meet him ?" He replied "Why sure you can...I guess you think I'm management but I'm actually the Mayor and I know Russell...he'll wanna meet you guys. Sure enough, several minutes later her comes the whole group and Russell comes up to me and says "I'm bettin' y'all are the Kentuckians ?" I replied " Yes ! " And started telling him about how that song really touched us all..and this man who is a NINE time Grammy winner ( "Bluegrass Vocalist of the Year" ) was so humble and so kind...he spoke with us all for over and hour and then said " Hang on for just a minute, I'll be right back !" He stepped behind the stage and came out with 4 T shirts and 4 CD's for us. He said "I know you said you didn't come for for these but it's my treat...let's get some selfies and then we gotta head out ! The whole group autographed the T shirts, we took selfies and Russell shook our hands again and said " So glad to meet y'all, we'll be up in Florence, KY in Feb. hope y'all can come, we appreciate folks like you. God bless ya !" I was awestruck...I have NEVER met anyone that talented that was THAT humble ! It was almost as if we were the Grammy winners and HE was the fan...unbelievably nice guy !
Very cool.
SR ....................and a WW2 merchant marine , and Korean war double Purple Heart recipient and Army Hero .
@@keithsowder275 Wow, going to UA-cam to see them! TY!
Bought their CD. What voices!!
In the early '90s, I attended a military journalism conference in Los Angeles. "Major Dad" was a big show at the time and Gerald McRaney was a guest speaker. After his session, he sat there signing autographs and posing for pictures until the very last person. I still think that was pretty awesome.
DINFOS trained warrior
That's where I first saw this man
You forgot, "...DINFOS, here today..." -5 for clarity.
James Garner and The Rockford Files are played daily in my home. Best show ever!
Totally agree!!!
It is the quintessential and best show of the 70's , it just makes you happy to watch it and remember.
1970s Los Angeles was so quaint. Best theme song ever.
The Rockford Files re-runs came on at 3:00pm every weekday. I watched every episode at least twice. Today's crop of movie writers should go to school on how well that show was witten.
Jimmy!
Even Clint Eastwood went out of his way to speak highly of James Garner, who he says helped prove that actors could successfully make the jump from TV to film. Garner was an old-style Democrat and Eastwood is an old-style Republican, but they never let their politics come between them. Because at the end of the day they each lived their life trying to do what is right, which is being an honest and decent person. Paul Newman was also such an individual. It doesn't take much in life to treat others with respect.
Couldn't have said it better. All three were atypical of Hollywood (present tense for Clint) and can be appreciated for their character as well as their work.
Likewise Henry Fonda (Democrat) and Jimmy Stewart (Republican), who were the best of friends going back to their NYC days.
Democrats from Oklahoma, like Garner, seem different from other places. They often vote Republican for president.
@@michaeldupree2502 not Garner, read up in him. He couldn’t stand that evil dimwit Ronald Reagan.
@@michaeldupree2502 It's called being a "Moderate" or Independent thinker. It seems to be nealey a lost Art today.
I worked the front gate at KTLA and saw many famous faces. One day Andy Griffith pulled up and started a conversation, I mentioned that my mother in law was a huge fan, whereupon he asked me to call her and he spoke with her for 20 or 30 minutes. He, like Mr. Garner was very down to earth and "folksy ".
That’s so very cool!
@@patrickflohe7427That’s also how you build a dedicated fan base.
My grandmother told a story about her, and her sister, at a shopping center one afternoon during the height of Maverick. Suddenly there was a screaming mob of women, and girls, and they had no idea what was going on. Both being rather diminutive in stature, they decided the safe alternative was to duck under a table that was covered with a floor length table cloth. Seconds later they were joined by the cause of all the hysteria ... none other than James Garner himself. She always spoke of what a gentleman he was and how humble and kind he was for the few minutes that the three of them hid together, while the storm passed.
😂 That. is. amazing.
That is hilarious!
😂
Forever a huge fan of James Garner…not only his acting ability, but all the consistent, never wavering, stories about his no-ego niceness. Also always liked Gerald McRaney
What an irony (or, maybe coincidence is a better word). One of my all time favorite actors relating a great story about another of my very favorite actors. And, the telling of it reveals to me that Gerald McRaney is as classy as James Garner.
Fully agreed. Two of my favorites.
The words I was searching for. Thank You!!
Yes, coincidence is a better word.
Agree 100%, as a kid in the 70s Rockford files was a regular. Then to was Simon & Simon after.
McRaney ranks right up there with Garner imo, he can really flesh out a bad guy character all the way to a favorite, beloved family member.
While not his best known, Jericho & Longmire both couldn't have been as good without him.
You're absolutely right!
I met Mr. Garner in Nashville. His daughter got married there and he was a true gentleman.
I won a silver dollar (first place) in a parade for dressing up like Bret Maverick in 1959, when I was five years old. James Garner was a true man's man, and a genuine class act! I have looked up to and admired him from my childhood, to being a senior citizen.
I never missed a Rockford Files, never. Garner's a legend.
You know, one day I was walking out of my office in Daharan, Saudi Arabia and there was 'Major Dad'! he sat there talk with us like we were friends. I will always fondly remember Gerald McRaney for his friendly actions.
I love hearing stories about James Garners kindness to others. I loved the Rockford files as a kid (and still) and I miss him and those good old days.
I LOVED Simon and Simon! I still get goosebumps at the theme song! I just googled it! Lol!
so did I that show was the best at the time
I loved that show too.
A favorite show when I was a kid! ❤
& I remember & loved Rockford Files too, loved that show & his car..
Rick and his badass truck!!!!
I believe Garner once said he never thought about becoming an actor. He was just going by an acting studio in Hollywood one day, and said if there was a empty parking spot, he'd stop in a minute to see a friend he knew. There was one parking spot open. That's how it all started...
EB: Garner started out modeling swim suits.
One night when I was a kid in Corona Del Mar we stumbled upon an episode of the Rockford Files being filmed called The Empty Frame and there was James Garner away from everyone else on a break. He took the time to talk to all 4 of us, casually answered all our questions, and signed autographs. A couple of times a year I watch that episode on Amazon and remember how great he was.
What a great story ❤️
Rich you didn’t mention Simon & Simon. Such a underrated show.
look up the full interview. it was mentioned. love that show so much for its "B" grade fun!!
I just mentioned it lol.
Great 👍 show
full interview yes.
enjoyed Simon and Simon
@@stephenmccollum1391 me 2
If only most of todays gen could have a hint of James Garners core values
Thanks Rich and for the flashback story Gerald
If only most of yesteryear’s generation could have a hint of James Garner’s core values.
By the way, ever hear of an apostrophe??
This brings back a fun memory. I believe it was 1971. I lived in Southern California and my Sister lived in Northern California. I flew up to see my Sister for Thanksgiving holiday. I was at the airport to fly back home. I was in standing line to board the plane when a man walked up behind me and got in line. I looked at the man and smiled. He smiled back and nodded his head. I turned back around then realized who it was. James Garner. He was even better looking off camera. He never made a big deal about who he was, and everyone left him alone. It ended up he was visiting friends that he had known for years, and my Sister also knew Garner's friend. Small world I guess. I have to say though, that made my day as I always liked James Garner.
Loved Garner in Rockford files! Also, his role in Support Your Local Sheriff was outstanding.
Such a decent all-around guy that the fame and fortune never seemed to sway to the crooked path. Thanks, Mr. McRaney and Mr. Eisen for sharing this. Rest in peace, Mr. Garner.
i'll remember Gerald for Simon & Simon always. he'll always be Rick Simon to me
James Garner was the epitome of class.
Great to hear ,not common anymore ,Garner just was great in every role ,and made the Rockford files one of the greats ,and so real was his relationship with his dad Rocky in the show ,Noah beary jr. He is missed :(
Did you know Beery Jr. didn't play his Dad in the first episode ? The first episode was actually a 2 parter and an actor named Robert Donley played "Rocky" ! But Beery Jr. WAS "Rocky"! You're right his chemistry with Garner was so believable !
What a GREAT story. You know they’re good when you find yourself smiling and nodding, while listening.
He was the best ever! Actor and human being.
Thank you Gerald for confirming what I always hoped was true. James Garner was a true gentleman. The world is a little less with his passing.
What a great story! Kudos to Mr. Garner for just being a nice guy. And thanks to Mr. McRaney for sharing his story. I’m sure his parents treasured their visit with Mr. Garner for the rest of THEIR lives.
Growing up in Indianapolis in the 1960s, I was a huge auto racing fan. I particularly liked the Formula 1 guys: Jim Clark, Jackie Stewart, Graham Hill, et al.-who ran in the Indy 500 every year. I begged my mother to take me to see Grand Prix at the Circle Theater. I had never seen James Garner in anything before, but he was so great in that movie that I became a lifelong fan. It's nice to hear that we was a wonderful person as well.
One of my favorite actors James Garner, love this story thanks for sharing 💜👍
Back in 1987 or so, my family got to meet Gerald McRaney. He and his wife were at the western look out point of Grand Canyon for sunset. Gerald McRaney locked himself out of his Corvette.
If Gerald McRaney reads this post, I hope he still remembers how my Dad and I broke into his corvette and opened the doors.
By far the best performances from McRaney were in the series Deadwood. He was magnificent.
Yes, loved him in Jericho too! Another show that should have went much higher places...
I wish Deadwood would’ve had a longer run and a better ending.
@@Gr8Layks Me as well. Even when they made the movie years later, it still left me with more questions than answers.
I loved him in Designing Women! I could blissfully listen to Mr McRaney read the telephone book…👍☺🥰
Dash Goff- one of the best guest characters on that show. @@brmam1385
What a great story and I loved The Rockford Files and watch reruns of it today. James was a class act and so is Gerald we need more people like them in the world.
Garner was such a class act and I miss his presence so much...
These kind of stories make me tear up. I have such great admiration for the celebrities who behaved with grace and kindness. James Garner and the Rockford Files was one of my Dad's favorite shows that we'd watch together.
Me, too. Friday nights with my Dad as a kid...great memories. Got my wife into Jimmy & the gang now!
Loved the Answer Machine Intro at the start of each episode of the Rockford Files
James Garner grew up in the Heartland of this country, he learned the values of family and respect for others. Midwest people are the heart and soul of this nation,
Good to see Gerald McRaney again, and talking about James Garner.
It is always good to see the actors from that time period.
This was nice… miss having James Garner in the world 🥹🥩🍳
That is a great James Garner story . I love to hear stories like this . Well done . RIP
Can still hear the theme song
From the same town as Jim Garner. I still just adore the man.
Garner was one of the greats of TV history. Anything he was in, he elevated just by his presence. Anything he was in was worth seeing.
Very true. He provided an instant or additional stamp of quality to any show he appeared in.
That's a great story. What a decent man both of these men are and were. I'll always love Simon & Simon and Rockford Files.
Knowing James Garner, this story is not a surprise at all 👍
He did everything. From a movie with Doris Day to the Great Escape to two great TV movies with James Woods. One of the greats
Also try and find the movie Garner made were he was kidnapped by the Germans who messed with his memories to try and get DDay plans from him..
It also stared the girl from "North by Northwest" as a Jewish girl pretending to be a US Nurse..
Also Breathing Lessons with Joanne Woodward and Murphy's Romance with Sally Field. I loved anything he was in.
Loved Gerald in Simon and Simon! What a great actor! Plays good guys and bad guys with ease.
Me, too. I haven't seen it in awhile.
Played a great bad guy in Longmire…always liked Mr McRaney in Simon &Simon, but he showed a lot of his abilities in Longmire in being capable of being a true bad guy…
Gerald played a bad guy in the CHiPs episode, "Aweigh We Go"- trapped after the truck they hijacked jackknifed on a bridge and having to surrender to Ponch and Jon, immediately, having nowhere to run!!!
Gerald is great always!
Awesome! James Garner showing the way you're supposed to do it. A legend.
Heartwarming story about one of America's GENUINELY great actors, and one of Hollywood's GREATEST of mensches; thanks so much for sharing it with us!!!
RIP Stuart Margolin; you done splendid!!!
Good actor. Nice guy. Real patriot.
What a great story about James Garner! I miss him, and great actors like him!
Gerald McRaney, God Bless him. He's a real Hollywood working actor who did well for himself. Much respect! He's totally earned it and had paid his dues in full.
I was a big fan of Deadwood (what a shame it ended prematurely) but I didn’t recognize McRaney I couldn’t believe at first when I looked up the cast and saw he played Hearst. That’s a sign of a great actor he became that character so well and was such a mean SOB I couldn’t recognize the actor. Everyone in that show was so good. I think because it was so well written, the characters were all nuanced, the heroes had flaws and the bad guys had aspects of their character that made you empathize with them. Ian Mcshane gave one of the best bad guys ever. And I also thought Garner was a great guy and actor. One of the reasons I ended up in California is it always seemed like such a cool place when I watched Rockford as a kid.
Really nice to hear such a good story about James Garner. I grew up in the seventies in Ireland and one of my favorite shows was the Rockford Files.
Loved Rockford Files, Loved Simon and Simon, Loved Jericho! Jim Garner and Gerald McRaney are Legends!
He seemed like an awful nice man, and every show I saw him in. I think you’re a good guy Gerald for being humble yourself talking about your first part with him. Good luck.
What a great story. Thank you Mr. McRaney for sharing. I grew up in the 80s and Simon and Simon was one of my favorite shows.
What a great story! So glad I came across this video. I like Gerald McRaney and James Garner. ❤️❤️
2 guys among Stephen J. Cannell's stable of actors. Of course, Gerald was busy with Simon & Simon, otherwise, he could've appeared on Hunter to put that overbearing Bernie Terwilleger in his place!!!
Simon and Simon was my favorite show.
Loved it
Rockford Files was one of my all time favorite shows! Jimmy and Angel had Classic scenes.
Class act all the way, the world needs more James Garners, especially now.....RIP
And Stuart Margolin was the best actor that show had. He won two Emmy Awards for portraying Angel Martin
Angel was the very best
Always loved James Garner the man and his characters, Maverick and Rockford. Some of the best television ever. What a great and wonderful career Garner had during American TV's golden age.
GREAT STORY! FYI Garner received 2 Purple Hearts, serving in WW2 and Korea. Amazing man that definitely had the “ it” factor. Don’t make men like him anymore.
He wasbtoo.young to serve in ww2
I highly recommend James Garner's autobiography, _The Garner Files._ It's a terrific read, and exudes authenticity. One of the best bio books I've ever read.
Thanks for that! I just picked it up because of your recommendation. Can’t wait to start reading it.
What a great warm story about the great Jim Garner!! A true human being!! ❤❤❤
So glad I came across this interview. Their kind of greatness never, ever goes away…as long as someone is willing to duplicate it.
That's about the nicest compliment you could ever receive from a fellow actor! RESPECT, Mr Garner and Mr McRaney! Both PURE class gentlemen
Such a great story.. and why am I not the least bit surprised.? Jim Garner was one of my very favorites. His class popped right out of the screen …
Anyone remember Simon and Simon?
Gerald made that show for me.
Rick and AJ! Great PI show of the 80s.
I always wanted that Dodge truck as a teen
Yep and Major Dad, Gerald McRaney's follow-up to Simon & Simon!!!
Omg when i saw this thats the first show i though of but couldn’t think the name of the show.
Loved the Rockford Files
Love Gerald. He was a main stay in the 80's
RiP James Garner. Rockford Files was my favorite show back then, the reruns were only about 6-8 years old.
Loved the car and Jims's driving, doing bootleg reverses and all.
Gerald McRaney I will always remember in Simon and Simon. He was though apart of a great string of actors in shows that portrayed Vietnam vets in a good light. Magnum PI was another.
This video clip absolutely made my day. Lesson of the day, you never know how far-reaching kindness and class can be.
Great Story!! James Garner, A True Hollywood Icon
the man killed it in deadwood.
Plus he married a hot babe in 1989 Delta Burke in her time a hottie
Probably one of the better iterations of Hearst I've seen.
@@jamesthompson8008 who did other versions ?
2 best James Garner scenes, The thrill of it all when he drove his 58' impala into the swimming pool and Support your local sheriff when he crosses the street in the middle of a gunfight
Which movie is the swimming pool scene in?
Simon and Simon. Gerald and James were/are real men, unlike the fruits we have now. Back in the days when TV was good.
What a truly wonderful story.
That's a great story about James Garner making time to talk with Gerald McCraney's parents! Treat others as youd want to be treated.
Well I tell you I was a big fan of the Rockford files and James movies also but I have always been a big fan of Gerald's also. Plus his wife. Nice to see someone I respect sharing good memories of someone I respect.
Beautiful story:). I loved Jim Garner in every movie/show I saw him in. Rest in Peace, Sir.
Gerald McRaney talking about James Garner. Love both of them! Two class acts.
I'm watching the Roku Rockford Files now every night at 7 PM. A great program; Garner brought a laid back style to the role.
Yes, Garner has a great autobiography and truly was a class act
Gerald McRaney ain't no slouch when it comes to class! For him to be so complimentary of James Garner says volumes!
True "Gentlemen" like these are tooo rare today!
I watch Rockford Files reruns every night.
It's the stories that no one hears about that speak volumes about the man. James Garner was a gem of a human being first and a great actor second.
When you hear someone say that about your hero......wow! Oh and McRaney is a class act and superb actor too.
James Garner was the most underrated Philip Marlowe.
He played a motel desk clerk in his first appearance in 'Rockford' who literally gets his collar ruffled by Rockford bc he won't divulge a tenant's personal info. Rockford tells him afterward that theoretically he agreed with the clerk.
"Sleight of hand" Without his pushbroom mustache. ha
“Unfortunately you picked the wrong time to be right” lol
Rockford files was an absolute favorite series during my childhood!
I always liked it Gerald mccraney. Often you have actors who always play the good guy, or actors who always play the vial sob, but with Gerald you have a fine actor who has played some really evil characters, as well as characters who exemplify the type of people that many of us strive to be. Even some of my favorite books have been narrated by Gerald mcrany.