Inside The Last Hours & Death Of 'The Rockford Files' Star James Garner

“He picked up smoking from the time he was an itty-bitty child,” says Garner’s longtime friend and co-star Ruta Lee.

The upcoming episode also focuses on how, by the time Garner landed the role and was filming The Rockford Files, he was a heavy smoker.

“I knew him as a kid, you know, coming to the set with my father and watching them film and I recall it was one after another,” says Joe Santos, Jr. whose father – Joe Santos – played Sgt. Dennis Becker in The Rockford Files.

James initially caught his first acting opportunity after discovering an old friend had become an agent. Following a contract with Warner Brothers, Garner’s role as Maverick skyrocketed him to Hollywood and global superstardom.

Also known for his smooth acting and his signature comedic anti-heroes, Garner was one of Hollywood’s most in-demand actors.

But behind Garner’s trademark heartthrob smile, there was hidden and devastating pain – a battle that Garner fought for more than 35 years and first revealed in the upcoming Autopsy special.

Sadly, Garner passed away in 2014 at 86-years-old after making a respectable name for himself as one of the most genuine and charismatic stars with a rare career that spanned more than 60 years.

Starring in over 85 movies and television shows, Garner created some of our most loved TV characters including Brett Maverick and Jim Rockford.