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Although “Schmigadoon!” is now campaigning for this year’s Emmys as a scripted variety series, its cast members can still be nominated as comedic actors. According to Gold Derby’s odds, the performer most likely to score a supporting bid for the Apple TV Plus program’s second season is Jane Krakowski, who plays the show-stopping role of singing lawyer Bobby Flanagan. With Best Comedy Supporting Actress notices for “30 Rock” and “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” already under her belt, she could now make Emmys history as the first actress to be nominated in the same category for regular performances on three different continuing series.

SEEApple TV+ musical-comedy hit ‘Schmigadoon!’ moves from comedy series to scripted variety series category

Krakowski, who earned her four “30 Rock” nominations between 2009 and 2013 and her sole “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” bid in 2015, could now become one of the 12 most-recognized actresses in her category. She is currently...

Gordon T. Dawson, known for his work on television series “Walker, Texas Ranger” and “Bret Maverick,” and his long association with Sam Peckinpah, has died. He was 84.

Dawson died in hospice in West Hills on March 6 due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

His work in the industry spanned many facets, from child actor and wardrobe supervisor to script writer and producer. In his last television series, “Walker, Texas Ranger” starring Chuck Norris, Dawson worked as a writer, supervising producer and co-executive producer, writing 32 of the series episodes.

Dawson joined the Army at age 17, serving as a marksman and sharpshooter. Post-service, he became a fireman before landing a job at Columbia Pictures where he spent three months in the studio basement aging soldier uniforms for the film “Major Dundee.” When director Sam Peckinpah noticed that some of the extras did not have properly-aged uniforms, he shut down production and called Dawson...

Gordon T. Dawson, a costume designer-turned-screenwriter who worked on multiple movies with Sam Peckinpah and wrote on TV hits The Rockford Files and Walker, Texas Ranger among other films and series, died March 6 of pulmonary disease in West Hills, CA, his family announced. He was 84.

Related Story Hollywood & Media Deaths In 2023: Photo Gallery & Obituaries Related Story Stuart Margolin Dies: 'The Rockford Files' Two-Time Emmy Winner Was 82 Related Story Clarence Gilyard Jr Dies: 'Walker, Texas Ranger,' 'Matlock' & 'Die Hard' Actor Was 66

Dawson had worked as a fireman and had moved to working with costumes when Peckinpah used him to age costumes for his 1965 film Major Dundee. He would reteam with the director as wardrobe supervisor on 1969’s The Wild Bunch, then as associate producer (and uncredited writer) on 1970’s The Ballad of Cable Hogue and 1972’s The Getaway, and co-writer with Peckinpah on 1974’s...

Ed Bruce, a singer/songwriter and actor who had his own run of hits on the country charts but was best known for co-writing Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings’ “Mammas, Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys,” has died at age 81. He died in Clarksville, Tenn. and the cause of death was given as natural causes.

Bruce was also recognized for playing the second lead to James Garner on NBC’s 1981-82 “Bret Maverick,” a one-season reboot of “Maverick,” as well as writing and singing the show’s theme song.

Of “Mammas,” one of the most iconic country hits of all time, Bruce said in a 2012 interview, “It was a top 15 record for me. And actually when I finished writing it, there was a question of whether I was gonna record it or whether I wanted pitch it to Waylon. There was no doubt in my mind it was a No.

Ed Bruce, the country singer-songwriter behind hits including “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys,” died Friday, January 8th in Clarksville, Tennessee, from natural causes, according to his publicist. He was 81.

William Edwin Bruce Jr. was born December 29th, 1939, in Keiser, Arkansas, and raised in nearby Memphis, Tennessee. That put him in close proximity to Sun Records engineer Jack Clement and owner Sam Phillips, who signed him at 17 to release the 1957 rockabilly side “Rock Boppin’ Baby.”

Bruce would later record with RCA and Wand/Scepter, but...

I’ve been watching, among other things, the current reboot of ‘Will & Grace‘. One of, many, many, many new TV reboots that are occurring. Alright, I know, I’m not breaking any new ground, Hollywood’s not that original, blah, blah, blah. Still though, this TV reboot caught my attention. For one thing–really? This show you’re rebooting? I mean, don’t get me wrong, I love ‘Will & Grace‘ I actually I might argue that it’s one of the more underrated shows of all-time, and had it not been directly up against ‘CSI‘ for so many years, I think it might’ve won more Best Comedy Series Emmys than it actually did. It’s still one of only three series, ‘All in the Family‘ and ‘The Golden Girls‘ being the others, where every original main member of the regular cast won an acting Emmy for said series. I...

This story first appeared in the Aug. 1 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. "You can never have too many friends," James Garner wrote to me on a picture of him as Bret Maverick when I asked for an autograph back in 1960. Garner indeed was a friend to actors in a way he might not have realized at the time: He was the rare thespian who dared engage in lawsuits with studios while he was a working actor. Photos Hollywood's Notable Deaths of 2014 In 1960, Warner Bros. suspended him because of a writers strike as Maverick filmed. Garner fought back, declaring his

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From Westerns to war films, James Garner had a relaxed charisma all his own. As a Pow, as a gunfighter, as a private eye, Garner wore his charm like an old sweater - it never went out of style, and it always fit. In the wake of Garner's death Saturday at the age of 86, let's look back at seven of his most memorable roles, all of which showcase what critic Todd VanDerWerff calls Garner's rare ability to "make his essential James Garner-ness work in just about any situation." Maverick, 1957-1962 Though he'd had parts on the big screen for years,...

Hollywood is in mourning this Monday (July 21) after the loss of acting legend James Garner. “The Notebook” star passed away on Saturday night at his Los Angeles, CA at the age of 86.

His publicist, Jennifer Allen, said James died of natural causes.

Younger crowds know James best for portraying an elder Noah to Ryan Gosling's character in the romantic flick, but he is best recognized for his role as Bret Maverick in the 1950s western “Maverick.”

He earned an Academy Award nomination in 1985 for his work in the romantic comedy “Murphy’s Romance” alongside Sally Field.

Plenty of stars took to social media to remember James, including Kaley Cuoco. Garner played her on-screen grandfather on the series “8 Simple Rules.”

“I say this with a heavy broken heart," Kaley wrote, “Was an honor working beside u receiving ur bear hugs every day. (Love) u Grampa Jim."

Meanwhile, Nicholas Sparks (author of The Notebook) tweeted,...

"There are few people on this planet I have adored as much as Jimmy Garner," Sally Field said of her costar in the 1985 movie Murphy's Romance. "He was a diamond." Tom Selleck paid tribute to Garner, who died Saturday night at age 86, by saying, "Jim was a mentor to me and a friend, and I will miss him." In his own words, Garner - who first rose to prominence on the '50s TV Western Maverick and whose star continued to burn bright on the '70s series The Rockford Files - sat down with People in 2005 to reminisce on...

Stars take to Twitter to honor the legendary actor James Garner.

Iconic television and film actor James Garner passed away Saturday night at the age of 86, leaving an indelible legacy on Hollywood which will be felt for years to come.

The celebrated actor starred in numerous beloved and critically acclaimed television shows, starting as far back as his iconic role playing Bret Maverick on the series Maverick – the adaptation of which he later co-starred in alongside Mel Gibson – as well as The Rockford Files and more recently 8 Simple Rules.

Related: James Garner Dies at 86

Through his career he gained a vast array of friends and fans who were inspired by his work, his talent and his kindness. After his passing, actors and celebrities throughout the industry took to the internet to thank Garner for his legacy and pass long their wishes and condolences.

Leave your condolences in the comments.

Indeed it is sad news to acknowledge the passing of Emmy-winning and Oscar-nominated actor James Garner (1928-2014). The Hollywood icon Garner has endured a remarkable show business career during a five-plus decade stretch as he has entertained generations of TV and film audiences throughout the ages. Upon the death of this immensely likable leading man on both the small and big screen many are probably wondering about their mortality at this point. After all, you either grew up with James Garner as a peer or spent your childhood watching him in your living rooms on the boob tube or at the local movie theater.

Although the majority of folks associate Garner with television from his first western series Maverick in the 1950′s to his landmark role as ex-con Pi Jim Rockford in the 1970′s The Rockford Files (some teens and young adults may recall his brief stint as grandfather Jim...

Actors, directors and comedians expressed their sadness Sunday over the death of beloved star James Garner. The veteran actor was found dead at his home in the Brentwood section of Los Angeles on Saturday evening. The 86-year-old died of natural causes, the Los Angeles Police Department told TheWrap. Also read: James Garner, ‘Rockford Files’ and ‘Maverick’ Star, Dead at 86 Garner rose to stardom in the 1950s television series “Maverick,” as the gun-slinging Bret Maverick. In a 1994 movie version of the show, Garner had a cameo role with Mel Gibson playing the title character. Garner struck gold again on the small...

Artist Pete Emslie's tribute to Garner. (Courtesy of The Cartoon Cave),

 

By Lee Pfeiffer

Hollywood lost another member of its rapidly diminishing roster of stars who can truly be called legends. James Garner has passed away from natural causes following years of battling severe health issues that kept him out of the public eye. He was 86 years old. Like many actors of his generation, he drifted into the profession as an unlikely candidate for stardom. Garner served in the Korean War and was awarded two Purple Hearts, a fact he was characteristically humble about discussing. He landed some parts in "A" list feature films in the late 1950s before starring as Bret Maverick in the smash hit TV series "Maverick". His popularity exploded in the 1960s when he became part of a select number of TV stars to successfully transfer their popularity to the big screen. Garner made a major...

Television legend James Garner has died at the age of 86. He reportedly passed away late last night.

Garner began his career with a non-speaking role in The Caine Mutiny Court Martial on Broadway after helping actor Lloyd Nolan learn his lines. He then landed a regular role in the touring production.

From there, he moved on to small roles in movies and television. While he found success starring in more than 50 films over the course of his career -- including The Thrill of It All, The Americanization of Emily, Victor/Victoria, Murphy's Romance, Support Your Local Sheriff!, and The Notebook -- Garner really made his mark on the small screen.

He starred in a comedic Western, Maverick, in 1957 on ABC. Garner's Bret Maverick character sought out high-stakes poker games and rarely stayed in one place for very long. Unlike...

James Garner, a legendary actor of both the small and silver screens for nearly six decades, passed away Saturday in Los Angeles. He was 86. Lapd confirmed reports that the actor was found dead at his home, and while Garner suffered from various ailments in recent years – including a minor stroke in 2008 – it appears he died from natural causes, the Los Angeles Times reports.

A towering, charismatic presence with a slight Oklahoma accent from his childhood, Garner's long filmography is filled with dozens of unforgettable roles, from long TV stints as...

The New York Times describes James Garner’s career and persona beautifully: “James Garner, the wry and handsome leading man who slid seamlessly between television and the movies was best...

Los Angeles – He was the guy that could take care of things for you, with a wink of the eye and a slightly cynical air. Handsome star James Garner distinguished himself in both film and television, and passed away on July 19th, 2014, in Los Angeles after a long stretch of health problems. He was 86.

Garner broke in on a national level by starring as professional gambler Bret Maverick in the 1950s TV series, “Maverick,” and went from there to take on leading man and character roles in classic films such as “The Children’s Hour,” “The Great Escape,” “The Americanization of Emily,” “Victor Victoria,” and “Murphy’s Romance.” He even completed a TV-to-movie cycle by appearing in the Mel Gibson film version of “Maverick.” He also made a second character splash on TV in the 1970s, portraying private investigator Jim Rockford in the sly and popular show, “The Rockford Files.

©2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved

Oscar-nominated actor James Garner has passed away at the age of 86.

From AP:

Garner, whose whimsical style in the 1950s TV Western “Maverick” led to a stellar career in TV and films such as “The Rockford Files” and his Oscar-nominated “Murphy’s Romance,” was found dead of natural causes at his home in the Brentwood area of Los Angeles Saturday evening, Los Angeles police officer Alonzo Iniquez said early Sunday.

Police responded to a call around 8 p.m. Pdt and confirmed Garner’s identity from family members, Iniquez told The Associated Press.

There was no immediate word on a more specific cause of death. Garner had suffered a stroke in May 2008, just weeks after his 80th birthday.

Although he was adept at drama and action, Garner was best known for his low-key, wisecracking style, especially with his hit TV series, “Maverick” and “The Rockford Files.

Legendary actor James Garner -- star of "The Rockford Files" and "The Notebook" -- has died ... TMZ has learned.Law enforcement sources tell us an ambulance was dispatched to the actor's home in Los Angeles around 8Pm Saturday evening ... and he was found dead when they arrived on scene.James died of natural causes.Garner was one of the first actors to amass success in both television and film ... and he starred in a long...

Veteran actor James Garner, who won two Emmy Awards throughout his prolific TV career, died Saturday night. He was 86.

The cause of death is not yet known.

Though Garner amassed quite a list of TV and film credits throughout the years, his breakout role on the small screen was that of gambler Bret Maverick in the 1950s Western Maverick. He also starred in 1970s crime drama The Rockford Files, a role that landed him his first Emmy in 1977. (The other came in 1987, for his work as a producer on CBS’ Hallmark Hall of Fame movie Promise.)

Other highlights from the...

After a long, celebrated career on television and in film, actor James Garner died at age 86 on Saturday, July 19. TMZ reports that an ambulance was sent to his Los Angeles home, but by the time it arrived, the actor had already passed away. TMZ said Garner died of natural causes.  Garner rose to fame on the popular series Maverick, playing Bret Maverick in the late '50s. He went on to star in a different show named after his character in the early '80s. Garner became [...]...

There have arguably been bigger stars in television history than the late James Garner, but none who ever made it look quite so easy. Garner, who reportedly died in his home on Saturday at the age of 86, first hit it big in 1957 with "Maverick," a comical Western in which he played Bret Maverick, a Wild West cardsharp who was as quick on the draw as he was with a quip. At a time when TV was dominated by Westerns — and very solemn ones, at that — Garner was happy to play the same material lighter, to occasionally be the clown or the guy who gets punched in the face, and yet always made it clear that Maverick could easily kill you if he wanted to — it just wasn't his preferred way of doing things. Garner left Maverick after only a few seasons (and had spent much of that time alternating episodes...

Charming cardsharp Bret Maverick (Mel Gibson) tangles with a double-dealing adventuress (Jodie Foster) while trying to raise the cash for a big poker game aboard a Mississippi riverboat. He's also got to contend with the villainous Angel (Alfred Molina) while James Garner, who played Maverick in the original 1950s TV series, is also on his tail as Marshal Zane Cooper. Look out for Danny Glover as Mel reteams with Lethal Weapon director Richard Donner for an enjoyable slice of Western hokum.

A couple of weeks ago, Quentin Tarantino said that he loved working on Django Unchained so much, he wanted his next film to be a western also. This news made my day because I would love to see a resurgence of the western genre. Westerns are not considered one of the top tier genres, but I think that they are one of the most complex and interesting. Conventional rules do not apply to westerns. The protagonist/antagonist line is slightly blurred. That is what makes them more real. Any one of us would like to think that we are good people, but put us in a circumstance where we or someone we love is threatened, and we will fight to the bitter end. That is what the western is all about, the darker, grittier side of humanity. That is what I love about these films.

Just a little disclaimer; I...

We give credit to movies like Ocean's Eleven and other heist or con man movies credit for coming up with clever ways of pulling the wool over the eyes of deserving dupes, but few movie or television properties did it as often or with as much panache as James Garner's Bret Maverick and his brother Bart (Jack Kelly). Maverick ran for five seasons and through it all the show managed to find new scenarios where Bret Maverick could find a situation that needed fixing via a clever series of tricks. The second season sees the series in its prime, and even if you've never watched an episode in your life it's incredibly easy to just start watching and be instantly amused. The writing is sharp and the cast led by Garner (with the occasional appearance by Kelly) make each episode fun to watch (or re-watch).

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Blu-ray & DVD Release Date: May 29, 2012

Price: DVD $39.98

Studio: Warner

The classic 1957 western adventure television series Maverick starring James Garner (Grand Prix) makes its DVD debut with the release of Maverick: Season One.

The show, which ran for five season from September, 1957 to July, 1962 on ABC features Garner as Bret Maverick, a cagey, wisecracking cardshark who brings his inimitable style to the Wild West. Along with his more serious brother Bart (Jack Kelly), handsome bachelor Maverick travels with a sense of humor and a knack for getting into trouble. The two siblings have more success at the game of poker than the game of love, yet they keep trying their luck in one frontier outpost after another. And just when the boys think they can slip out of town quietly, they come face to face with a gunslinger or cattle rustler or some other kind of undesirable…

This seven-disc Maverick...

There have been countless movies made about poker; there’s a machine in Hollywood just making movies about the game and its players. Poker tournaments are now on par with major sporting events, it’s a part of the mainstream now more than ever. We cheer for the heroes and even the degenerates from time to time; it’s a great game that can make for a great film. Here are my favorite movies to feature the game, sound off in the comments below and share your own.

Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels

The Game: Three Card Brag

Synopsis: Four London working class stiffs pool their money to put one in a high stakes card game, but things go wrong and they end up owing half a million pounds and having one week to come up with the cash.

The Deal: The poker in the film isn’t really the main course of action,...

The second season of the classic television western Cheyenne comes to DVD divided into two sets released through the Warner Archive Collection. While the show.s episodes are predictable, they are still entertaining and hold up nicely against today.s heavier and darker themed dramas. The series (which ran from 1955 to 1963) starred Clint Walker as Cheyenne Bodie . a drifting cowboy who had a knack for solving people.s problems each episode. The character was a .jack of all trades. who seemed to have whatever skill was needed for this week.s episode. Along with Walker in the title role, the show featured great guest appearances including very young Dennis Hopper, James Garner (before he was Bret Maverick on the...

Twenty seconds MacGruber!

So fans of the Will Forte/Kristin Wiig 'Saturday Night Live' sketch 'MacGruber' are counting down the minutes to the April release of the big screen version of the small screen parody. Or maybe we're not counting the minutes. This movie could suck like a Dyson vacuum cleaner. Or it could be really funny! Who knows? Movies based on 'SNL' sketches could easily go either way.

One person who doesn't want us to find out is Lee David Zlotoff. He created 'MacGyver' back in the 1980s and he wants to stop the movie from being released. Zlotoff has a deal to bring 'MacGyver' himself to the big-screen and doesn't want to see this parody there as well. Zlotoff's lawyer says that the film is "infringing on our rights." I wonder if the filmmakers neglected to get a thumbs up from Zlotoff and Paramount before making the movie?...