We lost another star on the screen this weekend, former teen heartthrob and TV actor James Darren. The star who broke out after his role in Gidget has led a fascinating life. Beloved actor James Darren has had a stunning career. He went from being a teen idol to a staple of science fiction TV shows and movies. You've seen him everywhere!
He was born in 1936 in Philadelphia. He starred in a few 50s B-movies after he began his career as an acting student of Stella Adler's. His breakout role was in the 1959 surf movie Gidget. He played Moondoggie and became an overnight star. He enjoyed several roles in 1960s
He went shirtless and was a total hunk in the 1964 beach movie For Those Who Think Young. He plays the hunky heartthrob named Ding. All of these movies gave their hunks such strange names. We wanted to see Ding's dong, but we never did. He spends most of the film in his uniform of a tight bathing suit as he cruises the beach for cute babes.
He went the way of so many young stars in the late 50s and 60s: dip his toes into the pop music game. He released a few singles as a serious crooner with hit songs like "Goodbye Cruel World" and "Her Royal Majesty". He had the typical teeny-bopper career that a good-looking guy could have then, but that never lasted long for any of them. But the changing tides never deterred James Darren.
After youthful beach movies subsided and James Darren got older, he pivoted to different roles in order to continue to work. The man was never without work for long! He had a second life on TV shows including Fantasy Island, Melrose Place, and most famously Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. He also had a huge hit with his work in the 1982 TV show T.J. Hooker. Oh, to be a hooker Darren would hire - okay, the show wasn't about that, but a girl can dream.
His final film role was in 2017 when he starred in Lucky. That was his last acting job before he retired.
He passed away yesterday at the age of 88 after a stint in the hospital where he was hospitalized for an aortic valve replacement surgery. He was sadly already too weak and unwell for the surgery to be performed with doctors fearing he wouldn't make it through a recovery. He is remembered by his family and good friends, including Nancy Sinatra who made a touching post remembering James Darren.
One of my dearest, closest friends in all the world, of all my life has passed away. Godfather to my daughter, AJ. Wishing him a fast beautiful journey through the Universe beyond. Godspeed, sweet Jimmy. My heart is torn but full of love for Evy, Christian, Anthony Jimmy Jr pic.twitter.com/n3WxuLzlK8
— Nancy Sinatra (@NancySinatra) September 2, 2024
RIP James Darren. Thank you for being one of the original beach body heartthrobs.
