When David Boreanaz learned he would lead NBC’s reboot of “The Rockford Files,” he knew he had to reach out to James Garner’s daughter, Gigi Garner, to receive her “blessing.”
The 57-year-old actor has been a constant on network television for decades, with starring roles on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “Angel,” “Bones” and “SEAL Team.” But soon he will take on a new challenge as he inherits James Garner’s iconic role of Jim Rockford, a Los Angeles private investigator who relies on unconventional means to solve his crimes. James Garner, who died on July 19, 2014 at the age of 86, played the character on the original NBC series for six seasons from 1974 to 1980.
At NBC’s Backlot Pass 2026 event on Aug. 10 previewing the network and Peacock’s fall and midseason lineup, Boreanaz spoke about being inspired by the late actor, which made him want to contact Gigi Garner to assure her that her father’s legacy was in good hands.
During a panel conversation with “The Rockford Files” writer and executive producer Mike Daniels, Boreanaz explained how he got in touch with Gigi Garner to inform her of the casting news.
He said he has known the author and singer for over 15 years. He previously purchased a pinball machine from her that was a prop on her father’s show “Maverick.” But, the two had lost touch over the years. After landing the role, he found Gigi Garner’s old email address and decided to send her a message.
“I was like, I’m just going to give it a shot. I sent the email out and, to my surprise, she replied back. And I said, ‘I have to have a conversation with you,’” he recalled.
They chatted on the phone and he told her about the reboot.
“And she said, ‘Yeah, OK. I don’t know who’s going to play my father.’ And I said, ‘Well, they offered me the role,’” he continued. “And the first thing I said to her is, ‘A, I need your blessing. But first and foremost, I’m not going to play what your father did. What your father did is iconic and he’s already climbed that mountaintop. I inspire to do the same with this character, but I’m not imitating him.’”
In fact, Boreanaz told the panel audience that he didn’t grow up a fan of “The Rockford Files” and had never seen an episode.
He emphasized to Gigi Garner that he only had one goal: to make her dad proud.
“That’s it. Simple and clean and do the work,” he told her.
After they hung up, he said he went for a swim and thanked James Garner.
“I know that he’s with us. I know that he was with us in the pilot. I understand that’s a little too esoteric to think of, but that’s who I am as a person. I believe in that. I believe (the) universe has brought us to this specific moment and I do believe he’s with us,” he shared.
Another important figure in Boreanaz’s life who he has been thinking about as he enters the next chapter of his career is his mother. He said a “piece of him” owes the “Rockford” role to her because she pointed out the “uncanny” resemblance between him and James Garner years ago.
Boreanaz shared that when he was working on “Bones” his mother told him he needed to find a project connected to “The Great Escape” star.