Jay Garner (actor)
Encyclopedia
Jay Garner was an
American actor
. Born James Garner in 1929, he changed his first name to Jay upon entering Actors Equity since there was already a James Garner in the union (film star James Garner
of Murphy's Romance
and The Rockford Files
). Garner was best known to theatre audiences for his diverse character roles. He created the role of the "side-stepping" Governor of Texas
in the musical The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
,originated the role of the priggish anti-homosexual politician Eduord Dindon in La Cage Aux Folles
and had the lead role in Red, Hot and Maddox. He was a long time
Benjamin Franklin
in the musical hit 1776
, a role he also reprised on tour and in various stock productions.in 1986 he took over the role of Sir john Tremayne from Tony winner George S. Irving
in the original Broadway staging of Me and My Girl
. His last Broadway performance was Horace Vandergelder in the 1994 revival of Hello, Dolly!
starring Carol Channing
. Television audiences know him as Admiral Asimov in the second season of Buck Rogers in the 25th Century
.
He died on January 21, 2011 after suffering from a heart
respiratory illness, aged 82.
Mr. Garner,an only child, never married and left no survivors.
American actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
. Born James Garner in 1929, he changed his first name to Jay upon entering Actors Equity since there was already a James Garner in the union (film star James Garner
James Garner
James Garner is an American film and television actor, one of the first Hollywood actors to excel in both media. He has starred in several television series spanning a career of more than five decades...
of Murphy's Romance
Murphy's Romance
Murphy's Romance is a 1985 romantic comedy film adapted by Harriet Frank Jr. and Irving Ravetch from a story by Max Schott and directed by Martin Ritt...
and The Rockford Files
The Rockford Files
The Rockford Files is an American television drama series which aired on the NBC network between September 13, 1974 and January 10, 1980. It has remained in regular syndication to the present day. The show stars James Garner as Los Angeles-based private investigator Jim Rockford and features Noah...
). Garner was best known to theatre audiences for his diverse character roles. He created the role of the "side-stepping" Governor of Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
in the musical The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas is a musical with a book by Texas author Larry L. King and Peter Masterson and music and lyrics by Carol Hall...
,originated the role of the priggish anti-homosexual politician Eduord Dindon in La Cage Aux Folles
La Cage aux Folles
La Cage aux Folles is a musical with a book by Harvey Fierstein and lyrics and music by Jerry Herman. Based on the 1973 French play of the same name by Jean Poiret, it focuses on a gay couple: Georges, the manager of a Saint-Tropez nightclub featuring drag entertainment, and Albin, his romantic...
and had the lead role in Red, Hot and Maddox. He was a long time
Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin
Dr. Benjamin Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A noted polymath, Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor, satirist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat...
in the musical hit 1776
1776 (musical)
1776 is a musical with music and lyrics by Sherman Edwards and a book by Peter Stone. The story is based on the events surrounding the signing of the Declaration of Independence...
, a role he also reprised on tour and in various stock productions.in 1986 he took over the role of Sir john Tremayne from Tony winner George S. Irving
George S. Irving
George S. Irving is an American actor, known primarily for his character roles on Broadway. Born George Irving Shelasky in Springfield, Massachusetts, he made his debut in the original 1943 production of Oklahoma!, only to be drafted days later to serve in World War II...
in the original Broadway staging of Me and My Girl
Me and My Girl
Me and My Girl is a musical with book and lyrics by Douglas Furber and L. Arthur Rose and music by Noel Gay. It takes place in the late 1930s in Hampshire, Mayfair, and Lambeth....
. His last Broadway performance was Horace Vandergelder in the 1994 revival of Hello, Dolly!
Hello, Dolly! (musical)
Hello, Dolly! is a musical with lyrics and music by Jerry Herman and a book by Michael Stewart, based on Thornton Wilder's 1938 farce The Merchant of Yonkers, which Wilder revised and retitled The Matchmaker in 1955....
starring Carol Channing
Carol Channing
Carol Elaine Channing is an American singer, actress, and comedienne. She is the recipient of three Tony Awards , a Golden Globe and an Oscar nomination...
. Television audiences know him as Admiral Asimov in the second season of Buck Rogers in the 25th Century
Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (TV series)
Buck Rogers in the 25th Century is an American science fiction adventure television series produced by Universal Studios. The series ran for two seasons between 1979–1981, and the feature-length pilot episode for the series was released as a theatrical film several months before the series aired....
.
He died on January 21, 2011 after suffering from a heart
Heart
The heart is a myogenic muscular organ found in all animals with a circulatory system , that is responsible for pumping blood throughout the blood vessels by repeated, rhythmic contractions...
respiratory illness, aged 82.
Mr. Garner,an only child, never married and left no survivors.