The Rockford Files The Rockford Files 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". 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
Rockford Register Star in Downtown Rockford, Illinois, where it prints on a new press debuted in 2006. The tower was built in 1930 and remains a Rockford landmark to this day, as it is still recognized as one of the most appealing buildings in downtown. It was designed to be similar in appearance to the Tribune Tower in Chicago. The publication's general format is customary to that of most papers around the nation; it contains a front page and an "A" section, followed by local and state news, sports, and business throughout the work week. On Sundays it publishes the "Sunday Register Star",