Teen idol, singer, and director James Darren, known for ‘Gidget’, passes away at age 88

James Darren, a teen idol from the 1960s known for his role in the hit movie “Gidget,” passed away at 88 in Los Angeles. Darren had a successful career spanning acting, singing, and directing in both television and film. His role as Moondoggie in “Gidget” alongside Sandra Dee solidified his status as a teen heartthrob. Darren’s success with young fans led to a recording contract, with two of his singles reaching the Billboard Hot 100 chart’s Top 10. He also appeared in the sequels to “Gidget” and other films during his career. Darren later transitioned to television, where he appeared in popular shows and eventually became a director. He directed episodes of well-known series such as “Walker, Texas Ranger” and “Melrose Place.” Despite mostly retiring from acting, Darren made occasional appearances in shows like “Melrose Place” and “Star Trek, Deep Space Nine” in the 1990s. He began his career in Philadelphia and caught his big break in New York, signing with Columbia Pictures. Darren was married twice and had three sons, one of whom is a well-known correspondent. He also served as the godfather of Nancy Sinatra’s daughter. Darren’s legacy as a teen idol and multi-talented entertainer will be remembered in Hollywood.

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