‘Gidget’ and ‘T.J. Hooker’ star was 88

James Darren, a singer, director, and actor identified for enjoying a dreamboat surfer in Gidget and for roles in TV reveals reminiscent of T.J. Hooker and The Time Tunnel, died Monday in Los Angeles. He was 88.

His son, Inside Version chief correspondent Jim Moret, confirmed to Leisure Weekly that Darren handed away in his sleep at Cedars-Sinai Medical Heart in Los Angeles.

“Happily, he was not in any ache,” Moret mentioned. “It was a peaceable passing. His household obtained to specific love for him and vice versa.”

Darren was initially within the hospital for a scheduled aortic valve substitute, however the surgical procedure was delayed because of his well being and he went residence. The actor returned to the hospital on Sunday.

Moret mentioned he was happy with his father’s lengthy profession as each a teen idol and singer.

“He related with so many individuals over Moondoggie,” mentioned Moret of his father’s celebrated Gidget character. “I bear in mind telling him what a present it was.”

Moret additionally fondly remembered taking his youngsters to see their grandfather carry out at Las Vegas’ South Level Lodge in 2018.

“It was nice to look at,” he mentioned. “He had the swagger, voice, expertise, and allure. Their grandfather was cool.”

Born June 8, 1936 in Philadelphia, Darren first signed a long-term contract with Columbia in July 1956, and never lengthy after performed the lead function in his first movie, Rumble on the Docks. In 1957, Darren had a number of roles, together with in an episode of the present The Internet, and within the movies Operation Mad Ball, The Brothers Rico, and The Tijuana Story.

He additionally performed Davy Hackett in 1958’s Gunman’s Stroll, nevertheless it wasn’t till 1959 that he starred in what would turn out to be his first massive hit. In Gidget, he starred alongside Sandra Dee and Cliff Robertson, and performed the dreamy surfer Moondoggie. He additionally sang the movie’s title monitor, which very like the movie, was successful with teen women.

The music’s success led to him recording a collection of pop hits for Colpix Data, essentially the most notable of which was “Goodbye Merciless World,” which peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Scorching 100 in 1961. Different hits Darren recorded included “Her Royal Majesty” (at No. 6 on the Billboard Scorching 100 in 1962) and “Conscience” (at No. 11, additionally in 1962). He continued to sing all through his profession, releasing a minimum of 14 albums and a number of other extra compilations.

Darren would go on to reprise the function of Moondoggie in sequels Gidget Goes Hawaiian (1961) and Gidget Goes to Rome (1963), and starred in a quantity movies within the ’60s, earlier than transitioning extra to tv work in his later years.

His first notable function was as Dr. Tony Newman in 30 episodes of journey collection The Time Tunnel, however maybe his best-known TV work was as Officer Jim Corrigan reverse Heather Locklear in T.J. Hooker. In later years, he performed Vic Fontaine in Star Trek: Deep Area 9 and Tony Marlin in Melrose Place.

Darren was not only a singer and actor, nevertheless. His skills additionally included directing for collection reminiscent of Hunter, Silk Stalkings, Melrose Place, Werewolf, The A-Staff and Beverly Hills, 90210.

Along with Moret, Darren can also be survived by his spouse Evy Norlund, sons Christian Darren and Tony Darren, and 5 grandchildren. He was additionally the godfather of A.J. Lambert, Nancy Sinatra’s daughter.

Join Leisure Weekly‘s free each day e-newsletter to get breaking TV information, unique first seems, recaps, evaluations, interviews together with your favourite stars, and extra.

Sinatra herself paid tribute to Darren on Monday, writing on social media, “Considered one of my dearest, closest buddies in all of the world, of all my life has handed away. Godfather to my daughter, AJ. Wishing him a quick & lovely journey by the Universe & past. Godspeed, candy Jimmy. My coronary heart is torn however full of affection for Evy, Christian, Anthony & Jimmy Jr.”

“My father beloved you. Thanks a lot in your type and loving phrases,” Jim Moret wrote in response to Sinatra’s tribute.

Further reporting by Tiffany Kelly.