James Darren, the beloved teen idol who played a pivotal role in the 1960s surfing craze as the charming beach boy opposite Sandra Dee in the popular film “Gidget,” passed away on Monday at the age of 88. His son, Jim Moret, confirmed that Darren died peacefully in his sleep at a hospital in Los Angeles.
Moret shared that Darren was intended to undergo an aortic valve replacement surgery but was too frail to proceed. Reflecting on his father’s resilience, Moret stated, “I always thought he would pull through because he was so cool. He was always cool.”
Throughout his extensive career, Darren was not only an actor and singer but also made a name for himself as a television director, overseeing episodes of notable series like “Beverly Hills 90210” and “Melrose Place.” He also portrayed Officer Jim Corrigan on the cop series “T.J. Hooker” during the 1980s.
However, it was his role as Moondoggie, the dark-haired surfer boy in the iconic 1959 film “Gidget,” that left a lasting impression on young moviegoers of the late 1950s. The film, inspired by a novel written by Frederick Kohner about his daughter, showcased the vibrant beach culture and sparked widespread interest in surfing. Darren reminisced, saying, “I was in love with Sandra. I thought that she was absolutely perfect as Gidget. She had tremendous charm.”
Darren’s popularity led to a recording contract, resulting in hit singles such as “Goodbye Cruel World” and “Her Royal Majesty,” both of which reached the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. “Goodbye Cruel World” was featured in Steven Spielberg’s 2022 semi-autobiographical film, “The Fabelmans.” He also released songs like “Gidget” and “Angel Face.”
He was the only cast member to reprise his role in the sequels, “Gidget Goes Hawaiian” (1961) and “Gidget Goes to Rome” (1963), while Dee was replaced in the later films. Darren humorously remarked about his contract with Columbia Studios, saying, “They had me under contract; I was a prisoner. But with those lovely young ladies, it was the best prison I think I’ll ever be in.”
In addition to his youthful roles, Darren also starred in several serious films, including “The Brothers Rico,” “Operation Meatball,” and “The Guns of Navarone.”
As the 1960s came to a close, Darren’s film career dwindled, with his last movie credit being in 2017’s “Lucky.” However, he remained active in television, featuring prominently in the sci-fi series “The Time Tunnel” and making guest appearances in various other shows such as “The Love Boat,” “Hawaii Five-O,” and “Fantasy Island.”
In the 1980s, he became a regular on “T.J. Hooker,” where he took up directing after expressing interest in a scene that lacked a director. This led to numerous directing opportunities across various series, including “Walker, Texas Ranger” and “Hunter.” He returned to acting in the 1990s with roles in “Melrose Place” and “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.”