The Rockford Files is an American television drama series which was broadcast on the NBC from September 13, 1974 to January 10, 1980. The show stars James Garner as Los Angeles-based private investigator James "Jim" Rockford. The cast included Noah Beery as Rockford's father Rocky, Joe Santos as his friend, LAPD Det. Dennis Becker, and Stuart Margolin as Rockford's former prison buddy "Angel" Martin, who helps Rockford and causes him trouble in equal measures.