James Darren, best known for his roles in “Gidget” and “TJ Hooker,” has died at the age of 88.
The actor died peacefully in his sleep on September 2 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, according to a statement on his website.
Darren’s son, Inside Edition correspondent Jim Moret, told The Hollywood Reporter that his father was scheduled to undergo surgery to replace his aortic valve, but doctors said he was too weak for it.
“I always thought he would make it because he was so cool. He was always cool,” Moret told the outlet.
In his dazzling Hollywood career, Darren has worked as an actor and singer. He has even directed television series, including “Beverly Hills 90210” and “Melrose Place.”
His tenure as a director lasted about two years, during which he worked on other shows, including “Walker, Texas Ranger” and “Hunter.”
In the 1950s, Darren had his big break when he landed the role of Moondoggie, a surfer boy in the 1959 hit film “Gidget.”
In the 1980s, Darren landed the role of Officer Jim Corrigan in the television police series “TJ Hooker” – one of the most successful roles of his career.
As his career progressed, Darren’s success on screen earned him – like many actors at the time – a recording deal.
He released two hit singles, “Goodbye Cruel World” and “Her Royal Majesty,” both of which reached the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
In addition, “Goodbye Cruel World” has stood the test of time, as it was included in the soundtrack to Steven Spielberg’s 2022 semi-autobiographical film “The Fables.”
Darren remained a staple on television, appearing in the lead role on the science fiction series “The Time Tunnel” in the late 1960s. He also secured several guest spots on series such as “The Love Boat,” “Hawaii Five-O,” and “Fantasy Island.”
In the 1980s, he became a regular in four seasons of TJ Hooker, starring William Shatner. Darren also appeared in several episodes of Star Trek, Deep Space Nine.
Darren has also appeared in several Columbia Studios films, including The Rico Brothers, Operation Meatball, and The Guns of Navarone.
His last film role was in 2017 in “Lucky,” directed by John Carroll Lynch.
Born James Ercolani in 1936, the actor grew up in South Philadelphia before getting his big break in New York City in 1958.
Shortly after a talent scout noticed Darren, he signed a contract with Columbia Pictures.
He met his first wife, Gloria, in 1955. The couple had a son, Moret, a former CNN news anchor.
After the divorce, Darren married Danish model Evy Norlund, who was a contestant in the Miss Universe pageant at the time. They had two sons: Christian and Anthony.
Darren was also the godfather of Nancy Sinatra’s daughter AJ Lambert.
Sinatra shared a loving tribute to Darren on X, writing: “One of my dearest and closest friends in the whole world, of my whole life, has passed away. Godfather to my daughter AJ.”
“Wishing him a quick and beautiful journey through the universe and beyond. Good luck, sweet Jimmy. My heart is torn but full of love for Evy, Christian, Anthony and Jimmy Jr,” she added.
“Nancy, my father loved you. Thank you for your kind and loving words,” Moret replied to the post.
