RIP James Darren

James Darren, Teen Idol Actor in ‘Gidget,’ Singer and Director, Dies at 88

Variety

By Pat Saperstein

September, 2, 2024

 

James Darren, who went from teen idol status acting in youth-oriented movies like “Gidget” to become an actor in TV shows such as “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” and “T.J. Hooker” and a singer and director, died Monday at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles. He was 88.

His son Jim Moret said that he had been able to express his love for his family while 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 had been able to embrace his signature role as Moondoggie in the “Gidget” movie and that he continued to interact with his fans.

Born in Philadelphia, he studied acting with Stella Adler in New York and was signed to Columbia Pictures, where his first role was in “Rumble on the Docks.” He went on to appear in films including “Operation Madball” and “Gunmen’s Walk” before being cast in the 1959 teen movie “Gidget,” starring Sandra Dee and Cliff Robertson. Darren also sang the title track for the hit movie, which was based on the experiences of a teenaged surfer girl in Malibu and later became a popular TV series.

The “Gidget” theme song launched a successful singer career for Darren, who had a gold record with “Goodbye Cruel World” in 1961. He continued to appear in feature films including “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.

DARREN, James (James William Ercolani)

Born: 6/8/1936, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.

Died: 9/2/2024, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.

 

James Darren’s westerns – director, actor:

Gunman’s Walk – 1958 (Davy Hackett)

Walker, Texas Ranger (TV) – 1993 [director]

Lucky – 2017 (Paulie)