When David Boreanaz learned he would lead NBC\u2019s reboot of \u201cThe Rockford Files,\u201d he knew he had to reach out to James Garner\u2019s daughter, Gigi Garner, to receive her \u201cblessing.\u201d<\/p>\n
The 57-year-old actor has been a constant on network television for decades, with starring roles on \u201cBuffy the Vampire Slayer,\u201d \u201cAngel,\u201d \u201cBones\u201d and \u201cSEAL Team.\u201d But soon he will take on a new challenge as he inherits James Garner\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
At NBC\u2019s Backlot Pass 2026 event on Aug. 10 previewing the network and Peacock\u2019s 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\u2019s legacy was in good hands.<\/p>\n
During a panel conversation with \u201cThe Rockford Files\u201d writer and executive producer Mike Daniels, Boreanaz explained how he got in touch with Gigi Garner to inform her of the casting news.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s show \u201cMaverick.\u201d But, the two had lost touch over the years. After landing the role, he found Gigi Garner\u2019s old email address and decided to send her a message.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was like, I\u2019m just going to give it a shot. I sent the email out and, to my surprise, she replied back. And I said, \u2018I have to have a conversation with you,\u2019\u201d he recalled.<\/p>\n
They chatted on the phone and he told her about the reboot.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd she said, \u2018Yeah, OK. I don\u2019t know who\u2019s going to play my father.\u2019 And I said, \u2018Well, they offered me the role,\u2019\u201d he continued. \u201cAnd the first thing I said to her is, \u2018A, I need your blessing. But first and foremost, I\u2019m not going to play what your father did. What your father did is iconic and he\u2019s already climbed that mountaintop. I inspire to do the same with this character, but I\u2019m not imitating him.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
In fact, Boreanaz told the panel audience that he didn\u2019t grow up a fan of \u201cThe Rockford Files\u201d and had never seen an episode.<\/p>\n
He emphasized to Gigi Garner that he only had one goal: to make her dad proud.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s it. Simple and clean and do the work,\u201d he told her.<\/p>\n
After they hung up, he said he went for a swim and thanked James Garner.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know that he\u2019s with us. I know that he was with us in the pilot. I understand that\u2019s a little too esoteric to think of, but that\u2019s 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\u2019s with us,\u201d he shared.<\/p>\n
Another important figure in Boreanaz\u2019s life who he has been thinking about as he enters the next chapter of his career is his mother. He said a \u201cpiece of him\u201d owes the \u201cRockford\u201d role to her because she pointed out the \u201cuncanny\u201d resemblance between him and James Garner years ago.<\/p>\n
Boreanaz shared that when he was working on \u201cBones\u201d his mother told him he needed to find a project connected to \u201cThe Great Escape\u201d star.<\/p>\n