James Darren, famous for his roles in the 1950s films 'Gidget' and 'The Time Tunnel', and his thriving music career, has died at the age of 88. Darren's passing was disclosed by Nancy Sinatra, a dear friend of the actor. In a poignant Instagram post, Sinatra expressed, "One of my most cherished friends throughout my life has passed away. He was the godfather to my daughter, AJ. I wish him a swift and beautiful journey through the Universe and beyond. Godspeed, sweet Jimmy. My heart is torn but filled with love for Evy, Christian, Anthony, and Jimmy Jr." The post featured images from her daughter's baptism and a photo with Darren.
Actor Alec Baldwin also paid tribute on social media, posting a black-and-white photograph of Darren with the caption, "RIP James Darren. I grew up on 'TIME TUNNEL'..." Reports from Deadline reveal that Darren's son, Jim Moret, confirmed his father's death at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. Darren had been admitted to the cardiac unit and was considered too frail for a surgical aorta valve replacement. He passed away peacefully in his sleep.
Born on June 8, 1936, in Philadelphia, Darren's acting career was nurtured by the esteemed acting coach Stella Adler. He became widely known for his role as Moondoggie in the 'Gidget' films, including the original 1959 movie and its sequels. Despite not being a surfer, Darren's charisma and on-screen presence made him a beloved figure in the franchise. In the mid-1960s, Darren ventured into music, scoring hits like 'Goodbye Cruel World' and 'Her Royal Majesty'. His musical talents also led him to a significant role as Vic Fontaine, a holographic lounge singer, in 'Star Trek: Deep Space Nine' during the 1990s.
Darren's versatility shone through in television, where he starred in popular series such as 'The Time Tunnel' (1966) and 'T.J. Hooker' (1980s), alongside William Shatner. Shatner commented on Darren's death on X, saying, "What a wonderful man - so talented; so loving. I had the best time with him. The world is less because of his loss." In his later years, Darren moved into television directing, contributing to notable shows like 'Melrose Place' and 'Beverly Hills, 90210'. According to Deadline, James Darren is survived by his wife, Evy, his sons Jim Moret, Christian Darren, and Anthony Darren, and five grandchildren.
