JAMES GARNER - GARNER'S DAUGHTER: 'DAD'S FINE'

08/06/2008 01:39:07 AM

The daughter of beloved actor JAMES GARNER has assured fans her father is "doing fine" after recent photographs of the frail star sparked concerns for his health.

Garner was snapped visiting a Beverly Hills, California hospital, looking gaunt and distant, but his author daughter Gigi insists the pictures are deceiving.
She says, "He had a stroke on May 9th but he's doing well. He's doing really well in fact. He's perfect."

The 80-year-old star, who spent three weeks in hospital after undergoing surgery following his stroke, was photographed clutching a cane as a nurse and his driver helped him into a wheelchair.

His representative says, "Jim was at the medical centre for a routine outpatient check up with his doctor."

Jim Is HOME!

Great news! Jim is now out of rehab and is back home. He is doing great. I don't know if he will decide to work again or not, but knowing Jim, I wouldn't be surprised. At least he can if he want's to.

An extraordinary recovery by an extraordinary man. We love you, Jim!

An Update For All Who Have Had Jim In Their Thoughts And Prayers

Hello everyone who has been concerned about Jim Garner and his stroke. I have news - wonderful news.

Jim is still in rehab, but should be released soon - completely recovered. His speech is as it always was, his mind is totally intact. He did have some weakness on the left side, but even that is gone. His left side is now as strong as his right.

Jim's brother Jack always said that Jim was tougher than Dick Tracey. I guess Jim proved his point.

Congratulations, Jim. We love you.

Never believe what you read in The National Enquirer.

Get Well Wishes For A TRUE American Idol

As must be well known by now, Jim Garner is recovering in the hospital, having had surgery following a minor stroke. By all accounts he is expected to make a full recovery, but the details haven't yet been made public.

I'm sure this self-effacing, very private man would prefer that none of this had been made public, but he's long since realized that it's the price of fame. And, despite his shyness, he does deeply appreciate - and has always been puzzled by - the actual love and real concern of his millions of loyal admirers.

I have been among that group since I was 13 and watched the premier of a new western series called Maverick in the fall of 1957. James Garner was my very first celeb crush. Actually, he's also my only celeb crush, because in all these years I've never seen anyone who impressed me quite like he always has.

What started out as a teen crush became something more over the years, as I learned about James Garner the person. He became a father figure to this only child of a man who had never wanted children and never attempted to hide his resentment at my unwanted presence in his life. James Garner came to fill that void for me. He was my male role model as I grew up.

I'd never want to embarrass this wonderful man who can't even understand why people think he is special, but, Jim, you are special. I admire you for so many things - I could never list them all.

But most of all, I admire you for being a real hero - without feet of clay - to a young girl who was badly in need of a hero in her life. You've never let me down in all these many years, and for that I could never thank you enough.

God bless and get well soon.