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I never agreed with his politics, yet I must say he did not make a point of making his liberal bent the focus of his life like some of today's left wing, loud mouthed thespians. He simply acted and I watched with delight.

Agreed.

Much like Paul Newman who was also quite politically liberal (perhaps more what could be called a “classic liberal), and someone also not living the “Hollywood lifestyle” and like Newman, being married to the same woman for all his life, Garner wasn’t someone who impressed me as being “in your face” about it or someone who used his “star status” to tell anyone else how they should think or vote. I could imagine sitting down with Garner (and Newman for that matter), having a good meal and beer or two and having conversation, perhaps, most certainly disagreeing on most things political but it never becoming shrill or nasty and maybe even agreeing on a few things – auto racing, golf….

Garner once said, regarding Hollywood – "I got into the business to put a roof over my head. I wasn't looking for star status. I just wanted to keep working."

He also said this about marriage: "Marriage is like the Army; everyone complains. But you'd be surprised at the large number of people who re-enlist."

I loved him in the Great Escape and many, many other films including Grand Prix. And I loved the Rockford Files.

RIP Jim.