James Darren
Actor, singer, and director James Darren has died at age 88. Destigmatizing mental illness while we grapple with Darren’s heart condition is something I could not have imagined, let alone predicted nearly five years ago when Matt started his journey. ” I worked with him all the time and stuff like that because he had a great, charismatic talent,” his son, Inside Edition correspondent Jim Moret told Fox News.
Cause of James Darren’s Death and Final Days
His passing will be attributed to a heart-related ailment. He had been hospitalized at Cedars-Sinai for an aortic valve replacement surgery, but doctors decided it was too risky to perform. Although he was slowly becoming paralyzed, James Darren continued to be very jovial and aggravated his love for his family in those days. Moret said, “I kept assuming he was just going to make it because of his swagger.
Film and TV Career
James William Ercolani was born in Philadelphia on June 8, 1936 — Darren went on to become a Hollywood heartthrob of the late ’50s and early ’60s. While perhaps best known for his role as Moondoggie in the Gidget films (1959’s Gidget, and its sequels: 1961’s Gidget Goes Hawaiian and 1963’s Gidget Goes to Rome) with Sandra Dee. This established him as a teen idol, and his name became known to the public.
In addition to the silver screen, James Darren essayed roles in films. He had a memorable run on television playing Officer Jim Corrigan in the 1980s police drama T.J. Hooker. He also portrayed a holographic lounge singer named Vic Fontaine on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, which further showcased his wonders as an actor. This is the role that re-identified Darren as a force to be reckoned with and opened his profile up once more for fans of all ages, genres, and formats in the late 1990s.
Best Music and Best Director
Although he was one of the most skilled actors in Hollywood, James Darren also found time to become a top pop singer during the 1960s. Among his hits was “Goodbye Cruel World,” a No. 3 record on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and then, reached the Top Ten with “Her Royal Majesty” Both of these are naturally associated with the accompanying musical talents that made him even more lovable to people globally.
In addition to his acting career, Damon also directed. Additionally, he also helmed episodes of the popular TV shows Beverly Hills,90210, Melrose Place, The A-Team, Silk Stalkings, and HUnter. He made his directorial debut during the final season of T.J. Hooker in 1986, working as an emergency fill-in (since replaced temporarily with more episodes credited to the same showrunner Howard Dimsdale) that Shatner just ate up and proceeded to excel at.
Personal Life and Legacy
James Darren’s rise to fame started after he was spotted by a Columbia Pictures talent agent when attending Stella Adler Studio in New York for acting. He became one of Hollywood’s biggest stars virtually overnight, with a reputation for both his good looks and charisma, as well as incredible acting skills. And so was Darren’s private life as flamboyant as his professional. He was married twice, first to his high-school sweetheart Gloria Terlitsky from 1955 until their divorce in 1958 then five months later he wed Evy Norlund (a former Miss Denmark) they remained together through the years afterward with Ford’s death.
He is survived by his wife Evy, messages from which will be gratefully received via this link as they comfort their three sons — Jim Moret, Christian Darren, and Tony Darren — along with five grandchildren. Darren had a far-reaching influence, not only on his family but he was also a mentor to many in the industry and an inspiration to thousands of fans who grew up with his musicals and jukebox movies.
Remembering James Darren
The death of his earlier years was a marker that closed the era with which he became associated as an actor and heartthrob, who also, early on sang songs heard everywhere. May his legacy of versatility as an actor, singer, and director who could work with different generations continue inspiring many more to come. A teen idol, pop sensation, and television star, James Darren was a major contributor to the entertainment industry in the 1960s and beyond. His incredible talent has since stood the test of time and his ability to resonate with audiences across different forms of art is a testament to that.
Darren is remembered by both fans and coworkers for his professional accomplishments, but also as someone who had a warm personality. Whether as the adorable Moondoggie, a macho cop on T.J. Hooker, or crooning —as holo-pop-singer Vic Fontaine— in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine; Darren had made his way into Hollywood legend and fanboys around-the-world hearts alike.
A life that we heard about ended some 86 years after it began, and as James Darren is remembered today we celebrate a full one—a long road of feeling joy has ceased to wind—the end marker served by this man who bequeathed laughter upon the airwaves (a hearty huzzah!) along with wonder at his talents. He will be read in his films, music, and memories left here.
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