Co-writer/co-producer David Chase would go on afterwards to create another famous series, The Sopranos (1999). As a little tribute to this series, a scene in a first season episode of The Sopranos is set in a retirement home where the residents are watching television. Though the picture can't be seen, the theme music for The Rockford Files (1974) can be heard.
The character of Jim Rockford was originally written in an unproduced script for the ABC series Toma (1973). That script was re-written as the pilot for this show. ABC (which initially rejected the script for Toma (1973) and NBC had problems with the "Rockford" scripts. Executives at both networks thought the dramatic series scripts were too funny. The writers were always ordered to take out the funny lines. The writers, and eventually James Garner, refused
James Garner accused Glen A. Larson of plagiarising episodes of the show and using them for his own shows. Garner filed a complaint with the Writers Guild, which found Larson guilty, and he was fined. Larson then visited the set to make amends with Garner. According to Garner, he punched Larson so hard, he crashed through a trailer.
Despite being a very observant and astute investigator, Rockford often fails to correctly remember a suspect's license plate; even moments after seeing it. This is a frequent gag throughout the series.
The character of Rockford's father was named "Joseph". He was named after co-writer Stephen J. Cannell's father, but rather than Joseph or Joe, he was most often called "Rocky", a nickname derived from his last name, not his first. The name of "Rockford" was used after Cannell found the name listed in the Universal Studios employee directory.
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