Deep Space Nine’ actor James Darren dies – 104.5 WOKV

A teen heartthrob from the golden age of surfer films has died.

James Darren was 88 years previous.

Darren was in all probability greatest often called Moondoggie within the “Gidget” movie collection, in line with The Hollywood Reporter.

His son, Jim Moret, confirmed his father’s demise, saying the actor died in his sleep at Cedars-Sinai Medical Middle in Los Angeles.

Darren had been hospitalized for an aortic valve substitute however was too weak to bear the surgical procedure so he was despatched dwelling. He needed to return to the hospital shortly after.

“I all the time thought he would pull via,” Moret informed The Hollywood Reporter, “as a result of he was so cool. He was all the time cool.”

Darren was born in Philadelphia in June 1936 and named James Ercolani. His father would take him at a younger age to carry out in native bars and nightclubs, in line with the “Star Trek” official website’s obituary for the actor.

His first function was in “Rumble on the Docks” in 1956 and had appeared as Greek soldier Spyros Pappadimos in “The Weapons of Navarone.” however his largest casting was for the three “Gidget” movies.

Darren performed Moondoggie whose actual title was Jeff Matthews, a surfer and singer regardless of Darren not understanding learn how to surf in actual life. He would star reverse Sandra Dee in 1959′s “Gidget,” Deborah Walley in 1961′s “Gidget Goes Hawaiian” and Cindy Carol in 1963′s “Gidget Goes to Rome.”

He appeared on the small display screen in ABC’s “The Time Tunnel” from 1966 via 1967 and “T.J Hooker” reverse William Shatner and because the accomplice of Heather Locklear.

Shatner spoke of his former co-star’s demise on X.com, writing, “What an exquisite man – so proficient; so loving. I had one of the best time with him. The world is much less due to his loss.”

He additionally directed an episode of the Shatner cop drama in an emergency and ended up being behind the digicam for “Hunter,” “Melrose Place,” “The A-Staff” and “Beverly Hills 90210.” On “Melrose Place,” he reunited with Locklear in entrance of the digicam as Tony Marlin.

Darren additionally appeared on “Star Trek: Deep House 9” as holographic lounge singer Vic Fontaine in seven episodes of the present’s last two seasons, in line with Startrek.com. He known as the function “a dream come true. It was one of the satisfying roles for me to have performed.”

He was on the ultimate episode and sang “The Means You Look Tonight” to actress Nana Customer.

He mentioned recording that episode was troublesome to movie, “she’d begin crying. And when she’d begin crying, I’d begin crying. It was powerful getting via it.”

His last function was in 2017′s “Fortunate.”

Darren had a few hits in his singing profession through the years, together with “Goodbye Merciless World” which reached No. 3 on the Billboard Sizzling 100 in 1961 and the subsequent yr with “Her Royal Majesty” which additionally made the highest 10, in line with The Hollywood Reporter.

Darren leaves behind his spouse Evy, three sons and 5 grandchildren, Selection reported.

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