James Darren, who went from teen idol status acting in youth-oriented films like “Gidget” to actor in TV shows like “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” and “TJ Hooker” and singer and director, died Monday at 1 p.m. o’clock. Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles. He was 88.
His son Jim Moret said he was able to express his love for his family while he was being treated in the cardiac unit. ‘He was a good man. He was very talented,” Moret said. “He was forever young.”
Moret said he was grateful that his father was able to embrace his signature role as surfer Moondoggie in the movie “Gidget” and that he continued to communicate with his fans.
Born in Philadelphia, he studied acting with Stella Adler in New York and signed with Columbia Pictures, where his first role was in “Rumble on the Docks.” He then appeared in films such as ‘Operation Madball’ and ‘Gunmen’s Walk’ before being cast in the 1959 teen film ‘Gidget’, starring Sandra Dee and Cliff Robertson. Darren also sang the title song of the hit film, which was based on the experiences of a teenage surfer girl in Malibu and later became a hit TV series.
The theme song ‘Gidget’ launched a successful singing career for Darren, who had a gold record in 1961 with ‘Goodbye Cruel World’ and released at least 14 albums. He continued to appear in feature films such as ‘The Guns of Navarone’, ‘The Gene Krupa Story’, ‘All the Young Men’ and ‘Because They’re Young’.
He reprized his role as Moondoggie in ‘Gidget Goes Hawaiian’ and again in ‘Gidget Goes to Rome’, although by then he was tired of the typecasting.
Moving to television, he starred in the series ‘The Time Tunnel’ and after a brief stint in Italy, during which he starred in Jess Franco’s ‘Venus in Furs’, he guest-starred on numerous series including ‘Love, American Style’. Fantasy Island” and “The Love Boat.”
Darren was a regular on “TJ Hooker” from 1983 to 1986 and also transitioned into TV directing, working on series such as “Beverly Hills, 90210” and “Melrose Place.”
He found a new generation of fans in 1998 as Vic Fontaine, the holographic lounge singer from ‘Star Trek: Deep Space Nine’.
He is survived by his wife Evy; sons Jim Moret, Christian Darren and Tony Darren; and five grandchildren.