James Darren, ‘Gidget’ Actor, Singer, and Director, Dies at 88

James Darren, the beloved teen idol known for igniting the 1960s surfing craze with his role in the hit film “Gidget,” passed away on Monday at the age of 88.

His son, Jim Moret, confirmed Darren’s death to CBS News, mentioning that he died peacefully in his sleep at a Los Angeles hospital. Darren had been admitted to the hospital the previous week for an aortic valve replacement but was unable to undergo the procedure due to his frail condition. He was rushed back to the hospital on Sunday, leading to his unexpected passing.

“It was kind of a surprise to be quite honest with you,” Moret told CBS News. “I mean, we knew that he was not well, but we didn’t expect this.”

Moret added that Darren wasn’t in pain in his final moments and was able to express his love for his family. His career spanned several decades and included success as an actor, singer, and television director. Darren directed episodes of notable TV series such as “Beverly Hills 90210” and “Melrose Place,” and played Officer Jim Corrigan on the cop show “T.J. Hooker” in the 1980s.

Younger movie fans of the late 1950s will remember Darren best as Moondoggie, the dark-haired surfer boy in the 1959 hit “Gidget.” Sandra Dee starred in the title role of a spunky Southern Californian who falls in love with Darren’s character. “I was in love with Sandra,” Darren once recalled. “I thought that she was absolutely perfect as Gidget. She had tremendous charm.”

The film was based on a novel by Frederick Kohner, inspired by his own teenage daughter. It spurred interest in surfing, influencing pop music, slang, and fashion. Darren’s success with teen fans led to a recording contract, similar to other young actors of that era like Tab Hunter and Annette Funicello. Several of his singles, including “Goodbye Cruel World” and “Her Royal Majesty,” reached the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Darren was the sole original cast member to appear in both “Gidget” sequels: “Gidget Goes Hawaiian” in 1961 and “Gidget Goes to Rome” in 1963. Although Sandra Dee was replaced by Deborah Walley and Cindy Carol in the sequels, the “Gidget” legacy continued, eventually becoming a television show that launched Sally Field’s career.

“They had me under contract; I was a prisoner,” Darren told Entertainment Weekly in 2004. “But with those lovely young ladies, it was the best prison I think I’ll ever be in.”

As a Columbia Studios contract player, Darren appeared in several grown-up films including “The Brothers Rico,” “Operation Meatball,” and “The Guns of Navarone.” By the mid-1960s, films like “For Those Who Think Young” and “The Lively Set” marked the nearing end of his big-screen career.

Darren remained active in television with lead roles in “The Time Tunnel” and guest spots on shows like “The Love Boat,” “Hawaii Five-O,” and “Fantasy Island.” In the 1980s, Darren was a regular on “T.J. Hooker,” where he transitioned into directing after noticing an unassigned sequence and seizing the opportunity.

Following his directorial debut, he received numerous offers and eventually shifted his focus almost entirely to directing. Darren directed episodes of notable series such as “Walker, Texas Ranger,” “Hunter,” “Melrose Place,” and “Beverly Hills 90210” before resuming his acting career with roles in “Melrose Place” and “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” in the 1990s.

Born James Ercolani in 1936, Darren grew up in South Philadelphia. He was surrounded by future stars like Fabian and Frankie Avalon. By age 14, he was already performing in local nightclubs. “From the age of 5 or 6 I knew I wanted to be an entertainer, or famous maybe,” he said in a 2003 interview.

A 1958 profile in the Los Angeles Times detailed Darren’s break into the industry. After moving to New York for a photo shoot, he connected with a talent scout and was soon signed by Columbia Pictures. His fan mail reportedly soared, trailing only behind that of Kim Novak, according to the studio.

Darren married his first wife, Gloria, in 1955, and they had a son, Jim Moret. Following their divorce, he married Evy Norlund, the Danish Miss Universe contestant. They had two sons, Christian and Anthony. Darren was also the godfather of Nancy Sinatra’s daughter, A.J. Lambert.

“One of my dearest, closest friends in all the world, of all my life has passed away,” Sinatra wrote on social media. “Godfather to my daughter, AJ. 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.”