James Garner Wife And Family: Inside His 58-year Marriage

Behind the easygoing charm that defined his legendary roles in Maverick and The Rockford Files, James Garner lived a deeply grounded private life. While Hollywood often traded in short-lived romances and public breakups, Garner shared a 58-year marriage with Lois Clarke. Their relationship weathered the pressures of studio fame, intense production schedules, and personal trials, enduring until Garner's passing in 2014. Rather than cultivating the flash lifestyle typical of 1960s television icons, Garner prioritized his home life with Lois and their daughters, Kimberly and Gigi.

The foundation of Garner's family life was built on a whirlwind romance that began in the summer of 1956. Meeting Lois Clarke at a political rally, Garner pursued her relentlessly, taking her out to dinner every night for fourteen straight days before marrying her on August 17, 1956. The marriage faced immediate social friction because Lois came from a Jewish family in Los Angeles while Garner grew up in a Methodist household in Oklahoma, and societal expectations of the era often discouraged swift, cross-background unions. Yet the couple ignored the critics, creating a lasting partnership grounded in mutual respect and shared humor.

Meeting Lois Clarke and Defying the Odds

When James Garner met Lois Clarke at an Adlai Stevenson presidential campaign gathering, he was a struggling young actor trying to find his footing in television. Lois was a divorcee with a young daughter, Kimberly, who was recovering from a harrowing battle with polio.

• The Two-Week Courtship: Garner often recalled that he fell in love instantly, spending his savings on a modest honeymoon that nearly broke his bank.
• Family Pressures: Relatives from both sides expressed doubt, but the couple recognized that their strengths complemented each other.
• Enduring Commitment: Despite a brief 18-month separation in the early 1980s caused by the grueling stress of his television career, the pair reconciled and remained together for the rest of their lives.

Raising a Family Away from the Spotlight

Garner didn't treat stepdaughter Kimberly as an afterthought. Having endured an abusive and turbulent childhood marked by the loss of his biological mother and physical mistreatment by a stepmother, Garner was determined to be a stabilizing force. He legally adopted Kimberly, and in 1958, he and Lois welcomed their biological daughter, Greta (known as Gigi).

Family life in the Garner household centered around everyday normalcy rather than Hollywood glamour. Gigi later recalled that her father was the kind of parent who would test out backyard pool safety by jumping off balconies first, prioritizing hands-on parenting over industry parties. Garner balanced grueling production hours on sets like The Rockford Files with dedicated time at home, protecting his children from the intrusive glare of the tabloid press.

The Separation and Reconciliation

No long-term marriage is entirely without turbulence, and the Garners faced a notable test during the late 1970s and early 1980s. The physical toll of stunt work, chronic knee and back injuries, and the relentless production pace of The Rockford Files strained his health and personal life, leading to an 18-month separation.

Rather than rushing into a high-profile Hollywood divorce, the couple used the time apart to recalibrate. They quietly worked through their differences without public mudslinging, eventually reuniting and remaining inseparable until Garner died at their Los Angeles home in July 2014. Lois passed away seven years later in October 2021 at the age of 98.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long was James Garner married to Lois Clarke?

They were married for nearly 58 years, from August 1956 until James Garner's death in July 2014.

How many children did James Garner have?

Garner had two daughters: he adopted Lois's daughter Kimberly from her previous marriage, and he and Lois had a biological daughter named Gigi.

Did James Garner write about his family in his memoirs?

Yes. In his 2011 autobiography, The Garner Files: A Memoir, written with Jon Winokur, Garner opened up about meeting Lois, his challenging childhood in Oklahoma, and the realities of maintaining a Hollywood marriage.

What happened during James and Lois's separation?

In the early 1980s, the couple spent roughly 18 months apart due to the overwhelming stress of Garner's acting career and health struggles. They quietly reconciled and spent the next three decades together.

You can read more about his life and filmography on the Wikipedia James Garner Profile or explore historical retrospectives via Closer Weekly.