Actor James Darren of T.J. Hooker died at the age of 88. May He Rest in Peace.

James Darren, an actor who appeared in television shows such as T.J. Hooker and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, as well as films like Gidget, died at the age of 88. According to TMZ, the veteran performer died abruptly on Monday night at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles while dozing off.

As of the time of writing, Darren’s cause of death was unknown, although Jim Moret, the actor’s son, told TMZ that his father was a patient in Cedars-Sinai’s cardiac unit owing to heart difficulties.

It is said that when Darren first went to the hospital for an aortic valve replacement, it was found that he was too frail to do the surgery safely. He was then discharged from the hospital, but he returned shortly thereafter. His son Jim commented, “I always assumed he would make it because he was so cool.” He was always cool.

After playing surfer Moondoggie in the 1959 picture Gidget, Darren rose to prominence as an adolescent idol. He reprised his role in the sequels Gidget Goes Hawaiian and Gidget Goes to Rome. In T.J. Hooker, the actor played Jim Corrigan, a police officer, on a recurring basis. He made 66 total appearances over four seasons.

In addition to his acting career, James was a singer and performed the Gidget theme song. According to reports, he also directed episodes of the television shows The A-Team, Melrose Place, Beverly Hills, and 90210. Peace be with you, Darren James.

Please Share this Article with your Friends.

 

SOURCE