James Darren, best known for his roles on “Gidget” and “T.J.
The actor died peacefully in his sleep at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles on Sept. 2, according to a statement on his website.
Hooker” — which became one of the most successful roles of his career.
Over the course of his career, Darren’s onscreen success led him to have a recording contract — as did many actors back in the day.
Darren remained a staple on TV, appearing as the lead on the sci-fi show “The Time Tunnel” in the late 1960s.
He also secured several guest appearances on shows including “The Love Boat,” “Hawaii Five-O” and “Fantasy Island.” He became a series regular for four seasons of the William Shatner-starrer “T.J.
Born James Ercolani in 1936, the actor grew up in South Philadelphia before getting his big break in new York City in 1958.
Shortly after being noticed by a talent scout, Darren was signed to Columbia Pictures.
After the pair got divorced, Darren married Danish model Evy Norlund — a Miss Universe contestant at the time.
Darren was also the godfather of Nancy Sinatra’s daughter A.J.
James Darren, well-known for his parts on “T” and “Gidget,”. J. 88-year-old Hooker passed away.
On September 26, the actor passed away quietly while sleeping at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. a statement on his website states that 2.
The Hollywood Reporter was informed by Darren’s son, “Inside Edition” correspondent Jim Moret, that his father was scheduled to have an aortic valve replacement procedure performed, but the doctors said he was too frail to have it.
Because he was so cool, I always assumed he would survive. Moret said to the publication, “He was always cool.”.
Darren performed and sang throughout his dazzling Hollywood career. He even attempted directing TV show episodes, helming episodes of shows like Melrose Place and Beverly Hills, 90210. “.
He worked on other shows like “Walker, Texas Ranger” and “Hunter” during his roughly two-year directing tenure. “.
Darren’s big break came in the 1950s when he was cast as surfer boy Moondoggie in the popular 1959 movie “Gidget.”. “.
Darren was cast as Officer Jim Corrigan in the 1980s television police drama “T.”. D. J. “Hooker,” which turned out to be one of his most lucrative roles.
Like many actors in the past, Darren’s success on screen led to a recording contract throughout his career.
He then released two hit songs, “Her Royal Majesty” and “Goodbye Cruel World,” both of which peaked in the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Furthermore, “Goodbye Cruel World” endured because it was featured on the soundtrack of Steven Spielberg’s 2022 semi-autobiographical picture “The Fabelmans.”.
As the main character on the science fiction series “The Time Tunnel” in the late 1960s, Darren continued to be a mainstay on television. Moreover, he was able to land a number of guest spots on television programs, such as Fantasy Island, Hawaii Five-O, and The Love Boat. “.
He was a regular cast member for four seasons of the William Shatner film “T.”. D. J. in the 1980s, “Hooker.”. Additionally, Darren made multiple appearances in “Star Trek, Deep Space Nine” episodes. “.
Later on, Darren starred in a number of Columbia Studios productions, such as “The Brothers Rico,” “Operation Meatball,” and “The Guns of Navarone.”. “.
2017’s “Lucky,” helmed by John Carroll Lynch, was his last motion picture role.
The actor was raised in South Philadelphia after being born James Ercolani in 1936, and he made his breakthrough in New York City in 1958.
Darren signed a contract with Columbia Pictures not long after a talent scout noticed him.
In 1955, he got to know Gloria, his first wife. The couple welcomed their son Moret, a former anchor for CNN.
Following their divorce, Darren wed Danish model and Miss Universe competitor Evy Norlund. Anthony and Christian were their two boys.
Nancy Sinatra’s daughter A also had Darren as her godfather. D. J. Lambert. .
“One of my dearest, closest friends in the world, of my entire life, has passed away,” Sinatra wrote in a heartfelt remembrance of Darren on X. the godfather of AJ, my daughter. “.
I’m wishing him a swift and lovely voyage through space and beyond. Godspeed, my dear Jimmy. She continued, “My heart is broken, but it’s also full of love for Evy, Christian, Anthony, and Jimmy Jr.
“My dad adored you, Nancy. In response to the post, Moret said, “Thank you so much for your kind and loving words.”.
