- Veteran actor James Darren passed away.
James Darren (Born 1936-Passed Away 2024) at 88:
Following a statement on his official site, James Darren, the actor, passed away peacefully in his sleep at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles on September 2, Monday. According to his son Jim Moret, Darren was supposed to undergo an aortic valve replacement surgery but was deemed too weak for the procedure. As stated by Moret, "I always thought he'd pull through, he was just so cool."
Born James Ercolani in Philadelphia in 1936, Darren was an Italian immigrant's son. Dropping out of school at 16, he had dreams of becoming an actor, eventually being discovered by a talent scout. With Stella Adler in New York, he honed his acting skills before signing with Columbia Pictures and making his cinematic debut in "Man with a Gun" in 1956.
Triumph in "April Love"
His breakthrough role came in 1959 with the comedy film "April Love." In this film, he played the love interest of Sandra Dee's character, a surf learner named "Moondoggie." This film was a massive hit, boosting California's surf culture and the film's stars. Alongside his acting, Darren also pursued a music career, releasing hits like "Goodbye Cruel World," which peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1961.
Darren continued his role in the sequels "April in Hawaii" (1961) and "April in Rome" (1963). Although the main actress varied in each film, Darren admitted his obligation to the contract, stating, "They had me under contract... But with these beautiful young women, it was the best dungeon I could ever be in."
Struggles with Fame
As his fame escalated, Darren found enjoyment dwindling. He described an instance in San Francisco where his intense fame led to an overwhelming crowd surging into the studio, dragging him outside, and pulling out his hair as a souvenir. "I was terrified. I was terrified because it hurt so much," Darren shared.
TV Shows and Directorial Debut
In the 1970s, Darren appeared in various television shows such as "Charlie's Angels," "Hawaii Five-O," and "The Love Boat." From 1983 to 1986, he starred in the police drama "T.J. Hooker" alongside William Shatner and Heather Locklear. Jenkins also directed an episode of "T.J. Hooker" before moving on to direct episodes of popular shows like "Melrose Place" and "Beverly Hills, 90210."
Darren married his high school sweetheart Gloria Terlitsky in 1955, and they had a son named Jim in 1956 before divorcing in 1958. Jim was later adopted by Terlitsky's third husband and assumed the last name Moret. Darren later married Miss Denmark, Evy Norlund, in 1960 and welcomed sons Christian and Anthony.
After achieving success in his acting and music careers, Darren continued to work in television production, directing episodes of popular shows like "Melrose Place" and "Beverly Hills, 90210." Even in the latter part of his career, Darren's influence in the television production industry was evident.
Reflecting on his life, Darren's son Jim Moret shared his thoughts on his father's strength and resilience, stating, "My father was not just an actor and singer, but a television production pioneer who left a lasting impact on the industry."
