Actor James Darren, who evolved from a teen idol to a successful singer and accomplished actor in television and film, has passed away at the age of 88. According to a report by Variety, Darren passed away on Monday at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles. His son Jim Moret has since revealed that the cause of his death was congestive heart failure. It marks the end of a stellar, diverse career highlighted by the Gidget films of the 1950s and 1960s, the classic film The Guns of Navarone, and the series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.
Darren, born James William Ercolani, is a native of Philadelphia, and earned his start in acting with a small role in the 1956 crime drama Rumble on the Docks, alongside Robert Blake. He continued to find supporting roles in lesser-known films like Operation Mad Ball, and the Van Heflin western Gunman’s Walk. His breakthrough role, however, came playing “Moondoggie” in the 1959 teen surfing hit Gidget with Sandra Dee and Cliff Robertson. He reprised the role in two Gidget sequels, the only actor to play the same character in all three pictures.
He also sang the theme song for Gidget, which opened the door to a successful singing career, although he often struggled to escape the “teen idol” brand the films gave him. He went on to star in the 1961 World War II classic The Guns of Navarone, with Gregory Peck and David Niven. Darren played Spyros, the youngest member of a group of Allied commandos sent on a secret mission to take out a pair of German superguns.
In 1966, he signed on to play Dr. Tony Newman in the Irwin Allen TV series The Time Tunnel, and then spent most of the 1970s appearing in guest roles on television and releasing music. In 1982, he joined the cast of the cop series T.J. Hooker, with Star Trek legend William Shatner. He played Officer Jim Corrigan in 66 episodes of the series.
A Career Revival With Star Trek
James Darren experienced a career revival in 1998 when he was cast in the sci-fi series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Darren played Vic Fontaine, a singer in a 1950s Vegas lounge club on the Deep Space Nine holodeck, where he put his singing skills on full display. He quickly became a Trek fan favorite character, and though he only appeared in eight episodes, they remain among the most popular in the series.
Throughout his career, he released 14 albums and had several hit songs, including “Goodbye Cruel World.” He also directed, helming episodes of a number of TV shows, including The A-Team, Hunter, Walker: Texas Ranger, Beverly Hills 90210, and Melrose Place.
William Shatner, who co-starred with Darren in T.J. Hooker, took to X/Twitter to post a brief tribute to his former co-star saying:
“Jimmy Darren; I worked with him for several years and then we’d see each other on occasion. What a wonderful man – so talented; so loving. I had the best time with him. The world is less because of his loss.”
Singer Nancy Sinatra also paid her respects. Her father, Frank Sinatra, was a close friend of Darren, and he often spent time with Sinatra’s “Rat Pack” of entertainer friends in Vegas. He was also Nancy’s godfather.
“One of my dearest, closest friends in all the world, of all my life has passed away. Godfather to my daughter, AJ. Wishing him a fast & beautiful journey through the Universe & beyond. Godspeed, sweet Jimmy. My heart is torn but full of love for Evy, Christian, Anthony & Jimmy Jr.”
Darren’s son, CNN anchor Jim Moret, issued a statement about his father’s passing. “He was a good man. He was very talented,” Moret said. “He was forever young.” Darren is survived by his wife Evy, his sons Jim Moret, Christian Darren and Tony Darren, and five grandchildren.
Our condolences, thoughts and prayers go out to Darren’s family, friends, and fans.