LOS ANGELES – Actor James Darren, who starred in hit movie “Gidget” and TV shows such as “T.J. Hooker” and “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine,” has died. He was 88.
Darren died in his sleep Monday at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles, according to reports. He was scheduled to undergo an aortic valve replacement, but was deemed to weak to have the surgery, his son, Jim Moret, told The Hollywood Reporter.
“I always thought he would pull through,” Moret told THR, “because he was so cool. He was always cool.”
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Born June 8, 1936, in Philadelphia, Darren’s first acting credit came in 1956′s “Rumble on the Docks.” In 1959, he had his breakout role starring as Jeffrey Matthews, AKA “Moondoggie”, in teen drama film “Gidget,” alongside Sandra Dee and Cliff Robertson. Darren also starred in two sequels, “Gidget Goes Hawaiian” in 1961 and “Gidget Goes to Rome” in 1963.
Darren went on to star in a number of films throughout the 1960s, including “All the Young Men,” “The Guns of Navarone,” and “For Thos Who Think Young.” He also found success as a television actor, starring as Dr. Tony Newman in “The Time Tunnel” from 1966-67. Darren also appeared in “Charlie’s Angels,” “Hawaii Five-O,” and “The Love Boat.”
In the 1980s, Darren played the role of Officer Jim Corrigan in TV series “T.J. Hooker,” appearing in 66 episodes from 1982-86. He also made his directorial debut on “T. J. Hooker,” directing one episode in 1986. The following decade, Darren appeared in eight episodes of “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine,” playing the role of Vic Fontaine.
Darren also continued his directorial career, overseeing seven episodes of TV series “Werewolf” and four episodes of “Raven.” His directorial credits also include “Walker, Texas Ranger,” “Beverly Hills, 90210,” and “Melrose Place.”
Darren is survived by his wife, Evy; sons Jim Moret, Christian Darren and Tony Darren’ and five grandchildren.
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