Actor James Darren, known for his celebrated role in “Gidget” has passed away at the age of 88.
According to his son, “Inside Edition” correspondent Jim Moret, Darren needed an aortic valve replacement but was not strong enough to undergo surgery.
“I always thought he would pull through because he was so cool,” Moret said. “He was always cool.”
Born on June 8, 1936, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, James Darren first gained attention in the late 1950s as a teen idol. He starred in a series of films that capitalized on his youthful good looks and charm.
His breakout role came with the film “Gidget” (1959), where he played the character “Moondoggie,” the love interest of Sandra Dee's character. Darren's memorable performance made him a household name and cemented his status as a teen idol.
Darren eventually transitioned to directing, working on various television shows. His directing credits include episodes of popular TV series like “T.J. Hooker,” “Hunter” and “The A-Team.”
In addition to acting, Darren had a successful singing career. He recorded several albums and hit singles during the 1960s. His biggest hit was “Goodbye Cruel World,” which reached number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1961.
In the 1990s, Darren gained renewed recognition for his role as Vic Fontaine, a holographic nightclub singer, in “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.” Darren's character was a suave, Sinatra-style crooner, allowing him to showcase his singing talent to a new generation.
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