Known best for his roles on the television shows Maverick and The Rockford Files, Garner has also starred in more than fifty films.
Before joining his father in Los Angeles, where he briefly worked as a model for Jantzen bathing suits, he joined the United States Merchant Marine at age 16.
He played Katey Sagal's father on the television show, 8 Simple Rules.
He married Lois Clarke in 1956. They raised two daughters, one from Lois' former husband and one they had together.
He was nominated for an Academy Award for his role in The Notebook, which starred Rachel McAdams.
