Revealed: James Garner's Total Wealth - Is the Star a Billionaire? Net Worth 2026: Career Earnings & Assets

Many fans are curious about James Garner's financial success in April 2026. In this article, we dive deep into the assets and career highlights.

What Was James Garner's Net Worth?

After having worked as a merchant mariner in the United States Merchant Marine, Garner enlisted in the California Army National Guard. He served his first seven months in California and then went to Korea for 14 months as a rifleman with the 5th Regimental Combat Team. Among other honors, he was awarded a Korean Service Medal, a United Nations Service Medal for Korea, and a Purple Heart.

In 1954, Garner's friend Paul Gregory encouraged him to take a nonverbal part in the Broadway production of "The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial." Following this, James was cast in commercials and in larger television roles. Although he was passed over for the leading role in the Western series "Cheyenne," Garner still made an appearance on that show's 1955 pilot episode. The next year, he made his feature film debut in "The Girl He Left Behind" and "Toward the Unknown."

For the remainder of the decade, James headlined such films as the romantic comedy "The Art of Love," the Westerns "Duel at Diablo" and "Hour of the Gun," the adventure comedy "A Man Could Get Killed," and the racing drama "Grand Prix," which sparked Garner's professional interest (and later career) in the sport. James closed out the decade with "The Pink Jungle," the comedy Western "Support Your Local Sheriff!," and the detective drama "Marlowe," in which he played the titular private investigator.

Early Life and Military Service

James Garner was born James Scott Bumgarner on April 7, 1928, in Denver, Oklahoma. His father was Weldon, a German American widower, and his mother was Mildred, who passed away when Garner was five. He was raised Methodist with his older brothers Jack and Charles. Following the end of World War II, Garner went to live with his father in Los Angeles and attended Hollywood High School. Later, returning to Oklahoma, he enrolled at Norman High School, where he played basketball, football, and golf, and competed on the track team. During his senior year, James dropped out.

Career Beginnings and "Maverick"

James Garner was an American film and television actor who had a net worth of $20 million at the time of his death in 2014. James Garner was best known for his starring roles on such television series as "Maverick" and "The Rockford Files." He was also a leading man in numerous movies over the decades, including "The Great Escape," "Grand Prix," "Marlowe," and "Murphy's Romance," for which he earned an Academy Award nomination. Later, in the 2000s, Garner appeared in films such as "Space Cowboys" and "The Notebook."

After appearing in "Sayonara" withMarlon Brandoin 1957, James had his breakthrough role as professional gambler Bret Maverick on the ABC Western series "Maverick." A massive hit, the program beat both "TheSteve AllenShow" and "TheEd SullivanShow" in its time slot, and made Garner a household name. The series ran until 1962 and earned the actor an Emmy Award nomination.

Following a bitter departure from Warner Bros., Garner was hired by William Wyler to star in 1961's "The Children's Hour" withAudrey HepburnandShirley MacLaine. It was the beginning of a prolific decade for the actor, as he had subsequent leading roles in "Boys' Night Out," withKim Novak, and "The Thrill of it All" and "Move Over, Darling," both withDoris Day. Next, he starred in three World War II dramas: the classicSteve McQueenepic "The Great Escape," Paddy Chayefsky's "The Americanization of Emily," costarringJulie Andrews, and "36 Hours," withEva Marie Saint.

Ultimately, James Garner's financial journey is a testament to their success.

Disclaimer: All net worth figures are estimates based on public data.