James Darren, the multifaceted entertainer who captured hearts as Moondoggie in “Gidget” and later starred in “T.J. Hooker,” passed away on September 2, 2024, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. He was 88 years old.
Darren died peacefully in his sleep, according to a statement on his website. His son, Jim Moret, an “Inside Edition” correspondent, revealed that his father was scheduled for an aortic valve replacement surgery, but doctors deemed him too weak to undergo the procedure.
“I always thought he would pull through because he was so cool. He was always cool,” Moret told The Hollywood Reporter.
Born James William Ercolani on June 8, 1936, in South Philadelphia, Darren’s journey to stardom began when he caught the eye of a talent scout in New York City in 1958. Shortly after, he was signed to Columbia Pictures, marking the beginning of a prolific career spanning over six decades.
Darren’s big break came in 1959 when he landed the role of Moondoggie, a charismatic surfer boy in the hit film “Gidget.” This role not only catapulted him to teen idol status but also helped ignite the 1960s surfing craze.
As was common for actors of his era, Darren’s onscreen success led to a recording contract. He released two smash singles, “Goodbye Cruel World” and “Her Royal Majesty,” both of which reached the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Notably, “Goodbye Cruel World” found renewed popularity when it appeared in the soundtrack of Steven Spielberg’s semi-autobiographical film “The Fabelmans” in 2022.
Darren’s versatility as an entertainer was evident throughout his career. In the 1980s, he secured one of his most successful roles as Officer Jim Corrigan on the television cop show “T.J. Hooker.” He also starred in the sci-fi show “The Time Tunnel” in the late 1960s and made guest appearances on popular series such as “The Love Boat,” “Hawaii Five-O,” and “Fantasy Island.”
His acting career extended to the big screen as well, with roles in films produced by Columbia Studios, including “The Brothers Rico,” “Operation Meatball,” and “The Guns of Navarone.” Darren’s final movie role was in the 2017 film “Lucky,” directed by John Carroll Lynch.
In addition to acting and singing, Darren ventured into directing. For about two years, he worked behind the camera on popular television shows such as “Beverly Hills, 90210,” “Melrose Place,” “Walker, Texas Ranger,” and “Hunter.”
Darren’s personal life was as rich as his professional one. He married his first wife, Gloria Terlitsky, in 1955, and they had a son, Jim Moret. After their divorce, Darren married Danish model Evy Norlund, a former Miss Universe contestant. They had two sons together, Christian and Anthony.
Darren’s impact on the entertainment industry extended beyond his immediate family. He was the godfather of Nancy Sinatra’s daughter, A.J. Lambert. Following the news of his passing, Sinatra shared a heartfelt tribute 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 wrote.
In response to Sinatra’s post, Moret wrote, “Nancy My father loved you. Thank you so much for your kind and loving words.”
Darren’s legacy in the entertainment industry is marked by his ability to adapt and thrive across multiple decades and mediums. From his early days as a teen idol to his later work as a respected actor and director, he maintained a presence in Hollywood that few can match.
His final years saw him continuing to engage with his craft and his fans. In 1998, Darren found a new generation of admirers when he took on the recurring role of Vic Fontaine, a holographic lounge singer, in “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.”
James Darren’s passing marks the end of an era in Hollywood, leaving behind a body of work that spans music, film, and television. He is survived by his wife Evy, his three sons, and five grandchildren.