James Garner was a man of many talents: best known as an actor and sportsman racer, the man was also at one time working any odd job that could support his dreams. These included being an oil worker, dishwasher, chauffeur, salesman, and gas station attendant. The last of those occupations put him on the track for a lifetime of celebrity, but like his longtime neighbor Steve McQueen, the road to glory was one paved with personal and professional challenges.

James Garner and Bob Hope ham it up at a TV special rehearsal.

Born James Scott Baumgarner to parents Mildred and Weldon on April 7, 1928, Garner was the youngest of three children living in the quiet town of Norman, Oklahoma. After moving to Los Angeles as a young man, the wayward soul within took him in many directions over the following years: a return to Norman, a job in the National Guard, deployment to South Korea, a non-speaking role in a Broadway production, and much more.

Garner came back to Hollywood in the mid-1950s with a contract from Warner Brothers, appearing in films like The Girl He Left Behind (1956) and Toward the Unknown (1956). His big break arrived in 1957 with the part of charming gambler Bret Maverick in Maverick (1957-60), a role that would put him alongside TV greats like Ed Sullivan and Lucille Ball. The years that followed saw hit after hit, with a career peak in 1963’s The Great Escape, where he was seen onscreen with stars Attenborough, Bronson, Coburn, and, of course, McQueen.

After his turn as racer Pete Aron in Grand Prix (1966), Garner found that motorsports was one hobby he had missed out on for far too long. On-road, the man enjoyed running the American International Racing team from 1967 to 1969, which competed in Sebring, Le Mans, and Daytona. But it was the world of off-road where Garner liked to run free, especially when it was behind the wheel of his beloved ’70 Oldsmobile 442.

Known as the “Grabber Olds” for its oversized Goodyear “Grabber” tires, the blue muscle car was the one that propelled Garner to a memorable podium finish in the 1969 Mexican 1000. The car suffered a busted tire, lack of oil, and overheating for much of the last leg, but its pilot managed to get both he and the car back to Ensenada. He took second place in his class.

There aren’t too many of Garner’s generation left, even fewer when considering his passion for motorsports. James Garner was 86 and died of natural causes according to his wife (his one and only, of 58 years). Upon hearing about his friend’s death, Parnelli Jones said the following: “My heart just broke. There are few people on this planet I have adored as much as Jimmy Garner. I cherish every moment I spent with him and relive them over and over in my head. He was a diamond.” Rest in peace, Mr. Garner.