James Darren, the actor best known for his role in the “Gidget” franchise, has passed away at the age of 88. The actor died in his sleep on Monday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, according to his son Jim Moret. Darren had been admitted to the hospital for an aortic valve replacement but was later deemed unfit for surgery and sent home. He returned to the hospital where he eventually passed away.
Nancy Sinatra, singer-songwriter and actress who co-starred with Darren in 1964’s “For Those Who Think Young,” shared a heartfelt tribute on social media. She referred to Darren as one of her dearest friends and expressed her love for him and his family.
Darren grew up in South Philadelphia and married Evy Norlund in 1960. They were married for 64 years and had two sons together. After gaining fame as Moondoggie in “Gidget,” Darren appeared in both sequels of the film series.
In addition to his acting career, Darren also directed episodes of popular TV shows such as “Walker, Texas Ranger,” “Hunter,” “Melrose Place,” and “Beverly Hills 90210.” He even had a recurring role on “Melrose Place” during the ’90s.
Darren’s talent extended beyond acting; he was also a music star with several singles reaching the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart during the ’60s. One of his most notable roles was portraying crooning hologram Vic Fontaine across seven episodes of “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.”
The news of James Darren’s passing has saddened many fans and colleagues alike. William Shatner, who co-starred with him on “T.J. Hooker,” described him as a wonderful man with immense talent and love.
James Darren leaves behind a legacy that spans both television screens and music charts—a testament to his multifaceted career that brought joy to audiences worldwide.