Tributes pour in for Rockford Files and The Notebook actor James Garner

Emmy winning actor James Garner died in Los Angeles at the age of 86 on Sunday.

15:42 21 July 2014

The film and television world was stunned on Sunday after it was revealed that Emmy winning actor James Garner died in Los Angeles at the age of 86.

Reports confirmed that the actor, who suffered a stroke in 2008, have died of natural causes.

Celebrities were quick to pay tribute to the Rockford Files star.

The Star Trek star William Shatner said: “Sending thoughts and prayers to the family of James Garner this morning.”  

Sherlock writer and star Mark Gatiss said: “Goodbye, Jim Rockford. The wonderful, amiable James Garner has gone.”

Stephen Fry said: “So sad to hear that James Garner has gone. A real part of my childhood, Rockford and the Maverick especially.”

Back in the US, the actor Bruce Campbell said “Tip of the hat to James Garner. Charm, humour, but most of all – class”

Sixth Sense star Haley Joel Osment saluted “the just dearly departed Legend James Garner” and added: “Rest in Peace.”

Marlee Matlin, the deaf Oscar winning actress who acted with Garner in a 1997 TV movie, Dead Silence, wrote: “Sad to read my dear friend and costar James Garner passed. RIP sweet Jim Rockford.”

The actor and writer Molly Ringwald tweeted. “I think James Garner was my first crush.”

His film roles included Grand Prix, The Notebook and an Oscar nominated performance in Murphy's Romance.