Beloved actor James Garner, 86, died of 'a massive heart attack brought on by coronary artery disease'

By Cassie Carpenter and Jennifer Pearson

Published: 17:17 EST, 29 July 2014 | Updated: 04:23 EST, 30 July 2014

James Garner's cause of death has been attributed to a fatal heart attack, TMZ is reporting.

The affable and well-liked Maverick star passed away at the age of 86 on July 19 while at home from what was initially thought to be natural causes.

But according to Garner's death certificate obtained by TMZ, the actor had been diagnosed with coronary artery disease.

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Cause of death revealed: James Garner apparently died of a massive heart attack brought on by coronary artery disease; the actor, who died on July 19 at the age of 86, was pictured in 2006

Cause of death revealed: James Garner apparently died of a massive heart attack brought on by coronary artery disease; the actor, who died on July 19 at the age of 86, was pictured in 2006

The Hollywood icon died from 'acute myocardial infarction,' according to TMZ.

Garner - who played the older Ryan Gosling in The Notebook- was already dead when the ambulance arrived around 8PM, according to TMZ,

The three-time Golden Globe winner had reportedly underwent a quintuple bypass heart surgery in 1988 and suffered a minor stroke in 2008.

Breakout role: James Garner rose to fame in TV's Maverick (1957-1960) before moving onto film roles both dramatic and comedic

Breakout role: James Garner rose to fame in TV's Maverick (1957-1960) before moving onto film roles both dramatic and comedic

Long illness: The Oscar-nominated actor - pictured here in February 2006 - had apparently been diagnosed with coronary artery disease

RIP: The Oscar-nominated actor was apparently already gone by the time the ambulance arrived at his Los Angeles home at 8PN on July 19

James was famous for playing gun-slinger Bret Maverick in the 1957 western TV series as well as the 1994 film version.

Garner also starred in The Great Escape in 1963, Victor Victoria in 1982, Murphy's Romance in 1985, and Space Cowboys in 2000.

Born in Oklahoma as the youngest of three, the legendary actor was also a serviceman for the Merchant Marines, the National Guard, and the Army where he was awarded two purple hearts in Korea.

 
Farewell: Garner's last big role was as the older Duke (also played by Ryan Gosling) in the 2004 hit romance The Notebook, a character beloved by many

Farewell: Garner's last big role was as the older Duke (also played by Ryan Gosling) in the 2004 hit romance The Notebook

Repeat performance: Garner had a role in the 1994 film Maverick that was based on his TV series

Repeat performance: Garner had a role in the 1994 film Maverick that was based on his TV series

Screen legend: The three-time Golden Globe-winner also starred in The Great Escape in 1963, Victor Victoria in 1982, Murphy's Romance in 1985 and Space Cowboys in 2000 (pictured)

Screen legend: The three-time Golden Globe winner also starred in The Great Escape in 1963, Victor Victoria in 1982, Murphy's Romance in 1985, and Space Cowboys in 2000 (pictured)

The acting veteran's final screen role was opposite Abigail Breslin in the 2007 family drama The Ultimate Gift.

James is survived by his longtime wife Lois - whom he wed in 1956 - and their 56-year-old daughter Greta 'Gigi' Garner.

 
Gone at 86: James is survived by his longtime wife Lois - whom he wed in 1956 - and their 56-year-old daughter Greta 'Gigi' Garner

Gone at 86: James is survived by his longtime wife Lois - whom he wed in 1956 - and their 56-year-old daughter Greta 'Gigi' Garner

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