James Garner undergoes surgery after stroke

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Actor James Garner, best known for starring in the classic television series "Maverick" and "The Rockford Files," underwent surgery this week after suffering a minor stroke, his spokeswoman said on Tuesday.

Garner, 80, who built a six-decade career playing ruggedly charming, good-natured anti-heroes and received the highest honor of the Screen Actors Guild in 2004, suffered a stroke at home last Friday and was admitted to a Los Angeles-area hospital, publicist Jennifer Allen said.

The actor underwent surgery on Sunday, and his prognosis following the operation was described as "very positive," Allen said, adding that his vital signs were good, and he was expected to be discharged from the hospital soon.

Allen said she had no other details about the circumstances of Garner's stroke or his condition.

Garner gained stardom in the late 1950s as the wisecracking cardsharp on the TV western "Maverick," and scored another TV hit in the 1970s starring as an ex-con turned private eye on "The Rockford Files."

(Reporting by Steve Gorman; editing by Dan Whitcomb and Todd Eastham)