Hollywood legend James Darren, who made a name for himself as Moondoggie in “Gidget” before starring in “T.J. Hooker,” died on September 2, 2024, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California. He was 88.
The actor’s website stated that Darren passed away peacefully in his sleep. His son, Jim Moret, an “Inside Edition” correspondent, disclosed that his father had been due for an aortic valve replacement surgery that was cancelled due to his frail condition.
“I always thought he would pull through because he was so cool. He was always cool,” Moret shared with The Hollywood Reporter.
Darren, born as James William Ercolani on June 8, 1936, in South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, started his journey to fame when he was discovered by a talent scout in New York City in 1958. This led to a contract with Columbia Pictures and a career spanning more than six decades.
His breakthrough came in 1959 with the role of Moondoggie, a charming surfer in the popular film “Gidget.” This role propelled him to the status of teen idol and sparked the surfing trend in the 1960s.
Following the trend of his contemporaries, Darren’s screen success led to a recording contract. His singles “Goodbye Cruel World” and “Her Royal Majesty” both made it to the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Notably, “Goodbye Cruel World” resurfaced in popularity when it was included in the soundtrack of Steven Spielberg’s semi-autobiographical film “The Fabelmans” in 2022.
Darren demonstrated his versatility in the entertainment industry throughout his career. He played Officer Jim Corrigan on the 1980s TV police drama “T.J. Hooker,” starred in the late 1960s science fiction series “The Time Tunnel,” and made guest appearances on shows like “The Love Boat,” “Hawaii Five-O,” and “Fantasy Island.”
His acting career also included roles in major films produced by Columbia Studios, such as “The Brothers Rico,” “Operation Meatball,” and “The Guns of Navarone.” He last appeared on screen in the 2017 film “Lucky,” directed by John Carroll Lynch.
Darren took on roles behind the camera as well, directing episodes of popular TV shows like “Beverly Hills, 90210,” “Melrose Place,” “Walker, Texas Ranger,” and “Hunter” over a two-year span.
In his personal life, Darren was married twice. He first wed Gloria Terlitsky in 1955, and they had a son, Jim Moret. After their divorce, he married former Miss Universe contestant Evy Norlund, with whom he had two sons, Christian and Anthony.
Darren’s influence in the entertainment world extended to his close friends. He was godfather to Nancy Sinatra’s daughter, A.J. Lambert. Sinatra paid tribute to Darren on social media after his passing, describing him as “one of my dearest, closest friends in all the world, of all my life.”
“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,” Sinatra wrote.
Responding to Sinatra’s post, Moret said, “Nancy My father loved you. Thank you so much for your kind and loving words.”
Darren’s legacy in the entertainment industry is defined by his ability to evolve and excel across various decades and media. From his early days as a teen idol to his later years as a respected actor and director, he maintained a strong presence in Hollywood.
During his later years, Darren found a new fanbase when he portrayed Vic Fontaine, a holographic lounge singer, in “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” in 1998.
The passing of James Darren signifies the end of a significant chapter in Hollywood, leaving a legacy that includes music, film, and television. He is survived by his wife Evy, their three sons, and five grandchildren.
