James Darren dead at 88: T.J. Hooker star passes away after suffering from heart issues

James Darren passed away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 88 on Monday. 

The actor, who is best known for his work on Gidget, T.J. Hooker and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, died at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles, his son Jim Moret has confirmed.

'I always thought he would pull through,' Moret told The Hollywood Reporter. 'Because he was so cool. He was always cool.'

Moret said his father was supposed have had an aortic valve replacement but was too weak for the surgery. After being sent home, Darren was then taken back to the hospital where he later passed.

In his long career, Darren acted, sang and built up a successful behind-the-scenes career as a television director, helming episodes of such well-known series as "Beverly Hills 90210" and "Melrose Place." In the 1980s, he was Officer Jim Corrigan on the television cop show "T.J. Hooker."

But to young movie fans of the late 1950s, he would be remembered best as Moondoggie, the dark-haired surfer boy in the smash 1959 release "Gidget." Dee starred as the title character, a spunky Southern Californian who hits the beach and eventually falls in love with Moondoggie.

"I was in love with Sandra," Darren later recalled. "I thought that she was absolutely perfect as Gidget. She had tremendous charm."

James Darren passed away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 88 on Monday; pictured March 2022 in Palm Springs

The actor, who is best known for his work on Gidget, T.J. Hooker and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, died at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles, his son Jim Moret has confirmed; pictured August 2014 in Las Vegas

The Philly native was inspired as a child to become an entertainer and would travel to study acting in New York City, where he was eventually connected with Columbia Pictures talent scout Joyce Selznick and signed with the studio.

 In 1956, he made his movie debut opposite Ryan Blake in the crime drama Rumble on the Docks. 

He also made appearances in Operation Mad Ball, The Brothers Rico, The Tijuana Story and Gunman's Walk. 

Darren rose to fame and became known as a teen heartthrob after landing the role of a surfer named Moondoggie in the 1959 romantic comedy Gidget. 

After its initial release, the teen idol also starred in the sequels Gidget Goes Hawaiian (1961) and Gidget Goes to Rome (1963). 

Early in his career, he also starred in the 1949 movie Knock on Any Door, the 1960 flick Let No Man Write my Epitaph, and the 1961 action adventure war film The Guns of Navarone. 

Darren was also renowned for his recurring role as police officer Jim Corrigan on the drama series T.J. Hooker. 

Darren rose to fame and became known as a teen heartthrob after landing the role of a surfer named Moondoggie in the 1959 romantic comedy Gidget; seen in a 1959 Gidget promo still

After its initial release, he also starred in the sequels Gidget Goes Hawaiian and Gidget Goes to Rome; pictured: Cliff Robertson, Sandra Dee, James Darren in a 1958 promo still for Gidget

Darren was also renowned for his recurring role as police officer Jim Corrigan on the drama series T.J. Hooker; from left to right: Heather Locklear, James, Adrian Zmed and William Shatner (in front) seen in a 1985 promo still from T.J. Hooker

In 1986, Darren added directing to his already impressive resume when he was an emergency fill-in for the director of T.J. Hooker for its final season; pictured alongside Heather Locklear in 1985 still from T.J. Hooker

Darren starred on 66 episodes across four seasons since the show's inception in 1982. 

He was also known for his work on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. 

On the sci-fi series from the late 1990s, he played a recurring role of a holographic lounge singer named Vic Fontaine. 

Darren also portrayed an electronics genius Dr. Tony Newman in the adventure series, The Time Tunnel, that ran from 1966 to 1967 on ABC. 

In an interview with Tom Beaver for the film historian's 2008 book, I Talked With A Zombie, Darren said he had no interest in working in television or doing any science fiction projects prior to his meeting with the creator of The Time Tunnel, Irwin Allen.

Darren recalled Allen telling him: 'This is something you have to do. I know you don't want to do it, but I think you are perfect for this role.

He added: 'And he convinced me. Irwin was one of the great salespersons of our time. I accepted the role because of my meeting with him.'

In 1986, Darren added directing to his already impressive resume when he was an emergency fill-in for the director of T.J. Hooker for its final season.

Afterwards, he discovered his knack for filmmaking too and went on to helm episodes of Hunter, Silk Stalkings, Melrose Place, Werewolf, The A-Team and Beverly Hills, 90210; pictured with Sandra Dee in 1959 still from Gidget

In addition to acting and directing, Darren was also a pop singer. His song Goodbye Cruel World reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1961. The following year, his song titled Her Royal Majesty, which was written by Carole King and Gerry Goffin, also cracked the top 10; pictured in February 1977

Afterwards, he discovered his knack for filmmaking too and went on to helm episodes of Hunter, Silk Stalkings, Melrose Place, Werewolf, The A-Team and Beverly Hills, 90210. 

In addition to acting and directing, Darren was also a pop singer. 

His song Goodbye Cruel World reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1961. 

The following year, his song titled Her Royal Majesty, which was written by Carole King and Gerry Goffin, also cracked the top 10. 

It wasn't until the late '90s when he would revive his singing career for the syndicated Star Trek: Deep Space Nine series. 

Early in his career, he also starred in the 1949 movie Knock on Any Door, the 1960 flick Let No Man Write my Epitaph, and the 1961 action adventure war film The Guns of Navarone; from left to right: Irene Papas, James Darren, Stanley Baker, David Niven, George Mikell, Athony Quinn in 1961 still from The Guns of Navarone

; from left to right: Irene Papas, James Darren, Anthony Quayle, David Niven, Gregory Peck, Anthony Quinn, Stanley Baker, Gia Scala seen in a 1961 still from The Guns of Navarone

He recorded several Frank Sinatra-inspired performances for the 1999 album This One's From the Heart as he portrayed a holographic lounge singer — a role which he called 'one of the most enjoyable' he had ever played. 

Darren went on to spend many years out of the public eye before he returned to Hollywood for Harry Dean Stanton's 2017 and final film Lucky. 

He was married to childhood sweetheart Gloria Terlitsky from 1955 until their 1958 divorce. In 1960, he married Evy Norlund, a former Miss Denmark.

Darren is survived by Norlund and three sons. In addition to Moret, he is survived by Christian and Anthony as well as grandchildren Amanda, Carly, Matthew, Natalie and Nicholas; and goddaughter A.J. Lambert, the daughter of Nancy Sinatra.