Hollywood is mourning the loss of screen icon James Garner who passed away at age 86. INSIDE EDITION speaks to Mariette Hartley, who co-starred with the icon several times.
It was one of the most successful ad campaigns of all time. James Garner teamed up with actress Mariette Hartley to promote Polaroid cameras in the 1970's and 80's. They made such a convincing couple that many people thought they actually were husband and wife.
Hartley told INSIDE EDITION, "I felt the chemistry with Jimmy immediately. He was very giving, he was very funny. He had been doing the commercials for a while, he got it."
Mariette Hartley even had a T-shirt printed that read "I Am Not Mrs. James Garner."
She said, "I finally did the T-shirt because if one more person came up to me and said, 'I know you are married, aren't you?' There was even a cartoon in The New York Times, two people watching television saying, 'I think they are married.'"
Watch More of Hartley's Interview
Hartley also played opposite Garner in an episode of The Rockford Files and they shared an on screen kiss.
In real life, James Garner had one of Hollywood’s most enduring marriages. He met his wife, Lois, in 1956 and married her just two weeks later. They were married for 58 years when he died.
Hollywood stars are paying tribute to Garner today.
Reese Witherspoon wrote: "Very privileged to work with this incredibly talented actor early in my career. He will be loved and missed forever."
Kaley Cuoco, who starred with Garner on 8 Simple Rules, tweeted: “I say this with a heavy broken heart. Was an honor working beside u receiving ur bear hugs every day.”
Hartley told INSIDE EDITION, "I was certainly extraordinarily lucky to have been brought into his life."
