Actor James Darren, widely recognized for his roles in films like Gidget and popular TV series such as T.J. Hooker and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, has passed away at the age of 88.
According to TMZ, Darren died peacefully in his sleep at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles on Monday. While the exact cause of death has not yet been confirmed, his son, Jim Moret, shared with TMZ that Darren had been experiencing heart issues and was being treated at Cedars-Sinai’s cardiac unit.
Darren had originally gone to the hospital for an aortic valve replacement surgery but was deemed too weak for the procedure. He was sent home but later returned to the hospital, where he ultimately passed away.
Reflecting on his father’s resilience, Jim Moret said, “I always thought he would pull through because he was always so cool.”
Darren first gained fame as a teen idol after portraying the surfer Moondoggie in the 1959 hit Gidget. He reprised this beloved role in two sequels, Gidget Goes Hawaiian and Gidget Goes to Rome. On television, he became a familiar face as police officer Jim Corrigan on T.J. Hooker, appearing in 66 episodes over four seasons.
In addition to his acting career, Darren was also a talented singer. He performed the theme song for Gidget and directed episodes of popular shows like Melrose Place, Beverly Hills, 90210, and The A-Team.
Rest in peace, James Darren.
