James darren still alive

Angel face jimmy darren biography James William Ercolani (June 8, – September 2, ), known by his stage name James Darren, was an American television and film actor, television director, and singer. During the late s and early s, he had notable starring and supporting roles in films including the youth and beach-culture film Gidget () and its sequels.

James Darren, 'Gidget' teen idol and singer, dies at 88

article

FILE - Actor James Darren attends a party in Los Angeles, California. circa (Photo by Earl Leaf/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

James Darren, a teen idol who helped ignite the s surfing craze as a charismatic beach boy paired off with Sandra Dee in the hit film "Gidget," died Monday at

Darren died in his sleep at a Los Angeles hospital, his son Jim Moret told news outlets.

Moret told The Hollywood Reporter that Darren was supposed to have had an aortic valve replacement but was too weak for the surgery.

Darren was born James Ercolani in and grew up in South Philadelphia.

Singing came easy to him, and at 14 he was appearing in local nightclubs.

According to a Los Angeles Times profile, he got a break when he went to New York to get some pictures taken and the photographer's office put him in touch with a talent scout.

He would be remembered best as Moondoggie, the dark-haired surfer boy in the smash release "Gidget."

Here are other notable roles and accomplishments from his life and career: 

James Darren movies

  • "Gidget"
  • "Gidget Goes Hawaiian" 
  • "Gidget Goes to Rome" 
  • "The Brothers Rico"
  • "Operation Meatball" 
  • "The Guns of Navarone"
  • "For Those Who Think Young"
  • "The Lively Set"

James Darren TV shows

  • "The Time Tunnel" 
  • "T.J.

    Hooker"

  • "The Love Boat"
  • "Hawaii Five-O"
  • "Fantasy Island"
  • "Melrose Place"
  • "Star Trek, Deep Space Nine."

Darren also transitioned his TV role on "T.J. Hooker" to directing, when he began to get several offers to direct. 

For almost two years, Darren directed episodes of "Walker, Texas Ranger," "Hunter," "Melrose Place," "Beverly Hills " and other series.

James Darren songs

  • "Goodbye Cruel World" 
  • "Her Royal Majesty"
  • "Gidget"
  • "Angel Face"

James Darren Jim Moret son

Darren married his first wife, Gloria, in and together had Jim Moret, an "Inside Edition" correspondent and former CNN anchorman. 

After a divorce he married Evy Norlund, who came to the U.S.

as the Danish entry in the Miss Universe contest. They had two sons, Christian and Anthony.

Entertainment