James Darren, the beloved actor and singer who rose to stardom as the charming surfer Moondoggie in the Gidget film series, passed away on Monday at the age of 88.
He is also known for his for his role of Officer James Corrigan in the police drama T. J. Hooker.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Darren died peacefully in his sleep at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles after battling heart-related issues, his son Jim Moret confirmed.
Per the report, he initially went to the hospital for an aortic valve replacement, but doctors determined he was too weak to undergo the procedure.
After being discharged and returning home, his condition worsened, requiring him to be readmitted to the hospital.
“I always thought he would pull through,” Moret said to THR, “because he was so cool. He was always cool.”
James Darren’s breakout role as Moondoggie in Gidget
Born James Ercolani on June 8, 1936, in Philadelphia,...
He is also known for his for his role of Officer James Corrigan in the police drama T. J. Hooker.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Darren died peacefully in his sleep at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles after battling heart-related issues, his son Jim Moret confirmed.
Per the report, he initially went to the hospital for an aortic valve replacement, but doctors determined he was too weak to undergo the procedure.
After being discharged and returning home, his condition worsened, requiring him to be readmitted to the hospital.
“I always thought he would pull through,” Moret said to THR, “because he was so cool. He was always cool.”
James Darren’s breakout role as Moondoggie in Gidget
Born James Ercolani on June 8, 1936, in Philadelphia,...
- 9/3/2024
- by Frank Yemi
- Monsters and Critics
James Darren, who became an instant teen idol as the boyish surfer Moondoggie in the “Gidget” movies and went on to a prolific career in TV and music, has died. He was 88.
Darren went to a Los Angeles hospital for scheduled heart surgery last week but was considered too weak to proceed and was sent home, his son Jim Moret told multiple media outlets. But his failing health forced a return to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where he died in his sleep surrounded by family.
Born James Ercolani in Philadelphia, Darren was already using a stage name when he starred in “Gidget” in 1959 and its sequels. His fame was secured instantly by the ’50s surf-culture hit, and he soon parlayed that notoriety with a number three hit single with “Goodbye Cruel World” in 1961.
Darren charted several other pop hits, including “Her Royal Majesty” and “Conscience,” but soon transitioned to TV, starring...
Darren went to a Los Angeles hospital for scheduled heart surgery last week but was considered too weak to proceed and was sent home, his son Jim Moret told multiple media outlets. But his failing health forced a return to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where he died in his sleep surrounded by family.
Born James Ercolani in Philadelphia, Darren was already using a stage name when he starred in “Gidget” in 1959 and its sequels. His fame was secured instantly by the ’50s surf-culture hit, and he soon parlayed that notoriety with a number three hit single with “Goodbye Cruel World” in 1961.
Darren charted several other pop hits, including “Her Royal Majesty” and “Conscience,” but soon transitioned to TV, starring...
- 9/3/2024
- by Josh Dickey
- The Wrap
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