James Darren, who went from teen idol status acting in youth films such as “Gidget” to actor in TV shows such as “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” and “TJ Hooker” and singer and director, died Monday. 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 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’. He continued to appear in feature films such as ‘The Gene Krupa Story’, ‘All the Young Men’ and “Because They’re Young.”
He is survived by his wife Evy, sons Jim Moret, Christian Darren and Tony Darren and five grandchildren.
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