Actor. Born James H. Garner, Jr., he was raised in Chattanooga and educated at the University of Tennessee. Upon graduation, he moved to Atlanta and launched his career in the entertainment industry, initially in radio, before acting with a local repertory company in a production of “Red, White and Maddox”. Garner marked his introduction to the Broadway stage as he reprised the role of Lester Maddox in the play “Red, White and Maddox” (1969), followed by his performance as Benjamin Franklin (replacing Howard Da Silva in 1971)) in the Tony Award-winning musical “1776”. During the 1970s and 1980s, he frequented TV with guest roles on such programs as “Soap”, “The Dukes of Hazzard” and “Three’s Company”; he is best known to television audiences for his role of Admiral Asimov in the series “Buck Rogers in the 25th Century” (1981). Garner enjoyed a rich string of roles in the successful stage productions of “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” (1978 to 1982, playing multiple parts), “La Cage aux Folles” (1983 to 1987, as Edouard Dindon), “Me and My Girl” (1986 to 1989) and a revival of “Hello, Dolly!” (1995 to 1996). He died of respiratory failure caused by pneumonia. (bio by: C.S.)