He was (Almost) my friend - 6 degrees of separation style.

I as I start this story, I am thinking of the opening verse to the Beverly Hill Billie's and am smiling, because that is what thinking of Jim Garner does to people "MAKES THEM SMILE". So if this sounds familiar -- SO BE IT!.
The story is called "He was (ALMOST)my friend - Six degrees of separation style"

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I gonna tell the story of a man named "JIM" an ol' TV gambler and you know a lot about him. Actually almost anyone you talk to will know of or have a story about Jim Garner or the "Maverick", or the "Rockford Files" or a TV show or series of film that they remember Jim from. Like "Support your local Sheriff or Support your local Gunfighter" and his sidekicks like Jack Elam. Jim was an EVERYBODY LIKED HIM, he was a modern day version of "ROY ROGERS and JOHN WAYNE and WALTER MATTHAU all rolled into one". Jim was everyone's favorite star.

Anyway, my story "He was (ALMOST) my friend - six degrees of separation style" is exactly as the title says. He was my friend by six degrees of separation. Although over the years I have known and became friends with many stars, actors, entertainers and a Who's Who almost to long to mention but I will give an idea. "I myself am a former stuntman and actor, producer and now have my own production company, I am only me who has know many great people and the majority now all sitting at the big poker table in the sky with Jim dressed in his "MAVERICK CARD PLAYING ATTIRE" with that "GOTCHA GRIN" he was famous for.

For example, I first met and became friends with Ernie Borgnine and Tim Parker when I was home on emergency leave in 1961, and the list grows from there. I became friends "Dean, Frank and Sammy. Over the years I've met or worked with Lee Marvin, Jack Palance, Jack Lemon, Walter Matthau, Jack Klugman, and used to enjoy Sunday Breakfasts with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans when I lived in Victorville CA years ago,

I had met Jim Garner on numerous occasions but only met him never worked with or became friends in the true meeting of the term friends or had associations with "EXCEPT IN THE WAY OF 6 DEGREES OF SEPARATION".

Let me explain that one. When I was a deputy sheriff in Los Angeles, County (somewhere about a million years ago), my reserve partner and good friend was married to a beautiful film and TV star by the name of "Carole Wells". She became my friend and was responsible for my becoming involved in the film industry. Carole had her own TV show titled "Pistols-n-Petty Coats", and occasionally did guests shots on Jim's show "MAVERICK". She and Jim were good friends.

A few years ago, (and it is still on the shelf of pending things we were planning on doing a Western titled "Whistle Down") and we had planned on Jim doing a cameo of his Maverick roll, along with several other well know stars.

Additionally I had a friend (now sitting in on the game with Jim) named Dan Wilcher. Dan was a close friend of Jim's and Carl Balentine (also associated with Ernie Borgnine in McCales Navy = another 6 degrees). Dan and I worked together many times for many years in the car business as well as horse racing. Dan was, like me, a many of many facets and trades. He also had one hellava memory. One of his favorite stories was about Jim Garner and Jim's fantastic sense of humor.

One evening Jim had stopped into Hollywood Toyota, where Dan was sales manager just to BS. Shortly after he arrived a lady in her mid 60's came in looking to buy a new Toyota. No sales men were available and Jim asked Dan if he could wait on the lady. He and Dan thought it would be a treat for her so he did it.

The customer immediately asked him (he had introduced himself as Jim, but no last name) if anyone ever told him that he looked like that actor - Jim something or other. Jim avowed he not only got upset when people said he looked like that fancy pants dandy he would get down right angry because he did not think he was a good actor. In fact his looking like that TV Cowboy it was the reason he was selling cars, he could not get jobs in the movies because of Garner.

It went on through the entire car buying episode until the lady finally bought the new Toyota and Jim signed the contract (with Dan's OK) he also gave her a few signed glossy publicity pictures then had Dan take a couple with the lady and signed the Polaroid's for her to keep.

Yesterday Jim left this world and is now at that big poker table somewhere above the clouds. I can only say, thank you for all the years of great and enjoyable entertainment, and say proudly "HE WAS (ALMOST) MY FRIEND - by 6 degrees of separation. He will be missed.

by: Bill Bennett, PhD
ph 1-541-602-7806
Corvallis, OR July 21st 2014

(NOTE -- if the grammar is bad, or spelling is incorrect, or phrases are poor -- "BLAME SPELL-CHECK" we disagree frequently"

Bill Bennett