James Darren, renowned actor, director, and singer, who gained fame with his role as Moondoggie in the 1959 film “Gidget,” passed away on Monday at the age of 88. According to Variety, he died at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles, with the news confirmed by his son, Jim Moret, a chief correspondent for Inside Edition. CNN is awaiting comments from the representatives of both Darren and Moret.
In a heartfelt response to a tribute post on X by singer Nancy Sinatra, Moret acknowledged, “Nancy, my father loved you. Thank you so much for your kind and loving words.”
Darren’s illustrious career in film and television began in 1956, as noted by IMDb. His portrayal of Moondoggie in “Gidget” catapulted him to heartthrob status among teenage audiences. Reflecting on his rise to fame in a 2015 interview with Los Angeles magazine, Darren recounted an incident in San Francisco where a crowd of adoring fans caused such a commotion that police had to intervene for his safety.
In “Gidget,” Darren’s character, Moondoggie, is a surfer who rescues the protagonist from a bed of kelp, eventually becoming her love interest. He reprised this iconic role in two sequels: “Gidget Goes Hawaiian” (1961) and “Gidget Goes to Rome” (1963).
Beyond “Gidget,” Darren had notable roles in TV series such as “The Time Tunnel,” “T.J. Hooker” alongside William Shatner, and “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.” His talents extended behind the camera as well, directing episodes of popular shows like “Beverly Hills, 90210” and “Melrose Place.”
Born in Philadelphia, Darren honed his acting skills in New York before signing with Columbia Pictures, according to Variety. He leaves behind his wife, Evy, three children, and five grandchildren.
Jim Moret shared that his father was able to express his love for his family while receiving treatment in the cardiac unit, highlighting, “He was a good man. He was very talented. He was forever young.” Moret expressed gratitude that Darren embraced his iconic role as Moondoggie and maintained a connection with his fans throughout his life.
