James Garner suffers a minor stroke

Melbourne (ANI): American film and television actor James Garner was hospitalized in Los Angeles after suffering a minor stroke at his home last week. Garner, who is best known for starring in the classic television series Maverick and The Rockford Files, was hospitalized on Friday May 09 according to his publicist Jennifer Allen.

The actor underwent surgery on Sunday, and his prognosis following the operation was described as "very positive", reports the Daily Telegraph. Allen added that Garner's vital signs were good and that he was conscious and "responsive." She also said that the actor was expected to be discharged from the hospital soon.

But she had no further details about the circumstances of Garner's stroke or his condition. Garner, who turned 80 last month, rose to prominence in the 1950s as Maverick, a wry riverboat gambler who, unlike his TV contemporaries, would often run rather than fight. He is better known to younger audiences for playing Katey Sagal's father in the sitcom 8 Simple Rules... For Dating My Teenage Daughter.