James Darren, known for his roles in “Gidget” and “T.J. Hooker,” died on September 2, 2024, at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California. He was 88.
Darren’s death was peaceful and occurred during his sleep, as stated on his official website. His son, Jim Moret, an Inside Edition correspondent, stated that his father was meant to undergo an aortic valve replacement surgery, but was deemed too frail for the procedure by the medical team.
“I always thought he would pull through because he was so cool. He was always cool,” Moret expressed to The Hollywood Reporter.
Darren, born James William Ercolani on June 8, 1936, in South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, began his journey to fame when a talent scout spotted him in New York City in 1958. Shortly thereafter, he signed a contract with Columbia Pictures, launching a career that would last over six decades.
His breakthrough role came in 1959 when he portrayed Moondoggie, a charming surfer in the popular movie “Gidget.” This role not only boosted Darren’s status as a teen idol but also sparked the 1960s surfing obsession.
Darren parlayed his onscreen success into a recording contract, resulting in two hit singles, “Goodbye Cruel World” and “Her Royal Majesty,” both of which climbed into the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 chart. “Goodbye Cruel World” experienced a resurgence in popularity when it was featured in the soundtrack of Steven Spielberg’s semi-autobiographical film “The Fabelmans” in 2022.
Throughout his career, Darren showcased his versatility as an entertainer. In the 1980s, he landed one of his most significant roles as Officer Jim Corrigan in the TV series “T.J. Hooker.” He also starred in the late 1960s science fiction show “The Time Tunnel” and made guest appearances in popular series such as “The Love Boat,” “Hawaii Five-O,” and “Fantasy Island.”
Darren’s acting career also encompassed roles in big-screen productions from Columbia Studios, including “The Brothers Rico,” “Operation Meatball,” and “The Guns of Navarone.” His last film role was in the 2017 film “Lucky,” directed by John Carroll Lynch.
Beyond acting and singing, Darren also ventured into directing. For approximately two years, he directed episodes of popular TV shows such as “Beverly Hills, 90210,” “Melrose Place,” “Walker, Texas Ranger,” and “Hunter.”
Darren’s personal life was also filled with notable relationships. He was first married to Gloria Terlitsky in 1955, with whom he had a son, Jim Moret. After their divorce, he wed Danish model Evy Norlund, a former Miss Universe contestant. They had two sons together, Christian and Anthony.
Additionally, Darren was the godfather of Nancy Sinatra’s daughter, A.J. Lambert. Upon hearing the news of his passing, Sinatra posted a heartfelt message on social media, describing Darren 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 posted.
Replying to Sinatra’s post, Moret acknowledged, “Nancy, my father loved you. Thank you so much for your kind and loving words.”
Darren’s enduring legacy in the entertainment industry is marked by his adaptability and ability to succeed in multiple areas over several decades. He remained a consistent figure in Hollywood from his early days as a teen idol to his later accomplishments as an actor and director.
In his later years, Darren continued to interact with his craft and his fans. He discovered a new generation of followers when he assumed the recurring role of Vic Fontaine, a holographic lounge singer, in “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” in 1998.
The passing of James Darren signifies the end of a defining period in Hollywood. He leaves behind a legacy that spans music, film, and television. He is survived by his wife Evy, his three sons, and five grandchildren.
