James Darren, the celebrated singer and actor renowned for his roles in “Gidget” and “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine,” has passed away at the age of 84. Darren’s career spanned decades and left a lasting impact on both music and television.
Discovered while studying acting in New York by talent agent Joyce Selznick, Darren signed with Columbia Pictures in 1956. He initially appeared in a series of minor film roles, but his breakout came in 1959 with his portrayal of Moondoggie in the beloved beach film “Gidget.” Darren’s performance, along with his rendition of the film’s title song, catapulted him to fame, establishing him as a teen idol both on screen and in the music industry.
The success of “Gidget” led to two more films in the franchise and a string of popular songs, including the hit “Goodbye Cruel World,” which reached No. 3 on the charts in 1961. Darren also made notable appearances on “The Donna Reed Show” and in the 1961 blockbuster “The Guns of Navarone.”
In the 1970s, Darren transitioned to the nightclub circuit while continuing to make TV appearances and work as a director. His most memorable television roles included Officer James Corrigan on “T.J. Hooker” and the computer-generated lounge singer Vic Fontaine on “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.” After his role as Fontaine, Darren made only a few brief appearances on screen, with his last roles coming in 2001 and 2017.
Tributes to James Darren
“Just heard that James Darren has passed away. Dad and James went back 65 years. In fact, I just found these black-and-white photos of them together during the ’70s. Two singers from Philly that never lost their cool street sense. We’ll miss you, Moondoggie.”
— Vintage Los Angeles (@alisonmartino) September 2, 2024
“Very sorry to hear the news that the great James Darren has died. For one fabulous night in Hollywood in February 2016, he kindly tolerated the ‘Time Tunnel’ questions of two fans of his and the show: Bob Costas and me…”