Darren had an iconic career, appearing in three "Gidget" films and TV shows like "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" and "T.J. Hooker." He was also a talented singer and director.
Born James William Ercolani on June 8, 1936 in Philadelphia, James Darren studied acting with Stella Adler and was discovered by casting director Joyce Selznick. After signing a contract with Columbia in 1956, he began filming his first movie, Rumble on the Docks.
In 1959, Darren played Moondoggie in the teen surf flick Gidget and also sang the title track. That led to a series of pop hits for Colpix Record, including Goodbye Cruel World.
Darren’s next string of films included The Gene Krupa Story (1959), All the Young Men and Let No Man Write My Epitaph, both in 1960, and The Guns of Navarone (1961). He also returned for two additional Gidget movie: Gidget Goes Hawaiian in 1961 and Gidget Goes to Rome in 1962.
In 1963, Darren signed a seven-picture deal with Universal, which began with drama sport film The Lively Set in 1963.
A Shift to Television
Darren’s acting career began to take a turn towards television with recurring roles in 1960s series like The Time Tunnel (1966-1967) and The F.B.I. (1967-1968). His appearances in the latter led to his starring role in the 1968 movie The Devil’s Eight. However, the Gidget franchise kept drawing him back. He was a guest star in the 1970 Gidget series, which followed the adventures of a surfer girl in Malibu.
The Time Tunnel
Darren played Dr. Tony Newman, an electronics genius, in the sci-fi adventure series The Time Tunnel. The series aired on ABC and ran for one season. The show focused on a pair of scientists who travel through time, encountering historical figures and events. Although the series lasted only one season, it was a success and is still popular today.
A Successful Television Career
Guest spots in the 1970s included series Love, American Style, S.W.A.T., Police Woman, Black Sheep Squadron, Charlie’s Angels, Police Story and Hawaii-Five. In 1982, Darren began his four season role as Officer Jim Corrigan on the crime drama T.J. Hooker opposite William Shatner.
Behind the Camera
After directing a few episodes of T.J. Hooker, Darren segued to the role of director in episodes of TV series like Hunter, The A-Team, Beverly Hills, 90210 and Melrose Place. He also had recurring roles in Melrose Place and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.
A Final Farewell
Darren is survived by his wife Evy; sons Jim Moret, Christian Darren and Anthony Darren; and grandchildren Amanda, Carly, Matthew, Natalie and Nicholas. The world has lost a multi-talented individual who contributed greatly to the entertainment industry, leaving a legacy of memorable roles and performances.
