<Tr> <Th> Original network </Th> <Td> NBC </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Original release </Th> <Td> September 13, 1974--January 10, 1980 </Td> </Tr> <P> The Rockford Files is an American television drama series starring James Garner that aired on the NBC network between September 13, 1974, and January 10, 1980, and has remained in syndication to the present day . Garner portrays Los Angeles - based private investigator Jim Rockford with Noah Beery Jr., in the supporting role of his father, a retired truck driver nicknamed "Rocky". </P> <P> The show was created by Roy Huggins and Stephen J. Cannell . Huggins created the television show Maverick (1957--1962), which starred Garner, and he wanted to recapture that magic in a "modern day" detective setting . He teamed with Cannell, who had written for Jack Webb productions such as Adam - 12 and Chase (1973--1974, NBC), to create The Rockford Files . The show was credited as "A Public Arts / Roy Huggins Production" along with Cherokee Productions in association with Universal Television . Cherokee was owned by Garner, with partners Meta Rosenberg and Juanita Bartlett, who doubled as story editor during most of The Rockford Files run . </P>

Who played rockford's dad in the rockford files