James scott baumgarter the gifted, understated, wisecracking actor died at 86 due to natural causes. He mesmerized his audience playing common man roles by appearing in boh big and small screens.

He died at his residence in los angeles police were called shortly afterwards declaring natural causes as the reason of his death.

He was born on april 7, 1928 in norman oklahoma. His mother passes away when he turned 5. His father brought him a step mother who he gravely disliked and after a deadly argument left home at 14. His father divorced the women and moved to L.A   James joined him shortly afterwards. He went to Hollywood high school at the age of 16 and went out to find a job as a swimsuit model.

While talking to people's magazine he said, "I made 25 bucks an hour!" He proudly said, "that's why i quit high school. I was making mire money than my teachers. I never finished ninth grade." His first Broadway act was for "the Caine mutiny court-martial" that led to a warner bros. contract. His performance as a marine captain in "Sayonara" was the sole reason he got a lead role in tv series "Maverick".

ACHIEVEMENTS:

He won purple heart after serving in Korean war. He joined military as a merchant marine and national guard. Later after movie "grand prix" auto racing became his new passion. He brought together a racing team and drove his pace car around indianapolis 500 three times. He also left his mark as a political activist who organized the 1963 march on washington and since then donated to democratic candidates and liberal causes.

His best work so far has been in the great escape (1963), the Americanization of Emily (1964), blake Edwards Victor Victoria (1982), Murphy's romance 1985)(academy award nomination), space cowboys (2000), the notebook (2004).