'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAHAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFgABAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQG/8QAFQEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAP/2gAMAwEAAhADEAAAAMFISf/EACAQAAEDBAIDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIBAwQABQYRMZETIpP/2gAIAQEAAT8AjZfksJiJEcuDjhOoSCDhb4TrugzucgD57nPV3XuqODz86//EABYRAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEAAv/aAAgBAgEBPwByX//EABURAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEA/9oACAEDAQE/ABv/2Q=='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Gidget star James Darren, 88, unexpectedly passed away on September 2, 2024. He was hospitalized for an aortic valve replacement but the surgery could not happen since he was not fit enough to go under the knife. He died in his sleep at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
Apart from his acting career, James also gained recognition as a singer. He had several singles in his credits, including Goodbye Cruel World, Her Royal Majesty, and Back Stage. His net worth stood at $9 million, as reported by Celebrity Net Worth.
The news of James Darren's demise was also announced on his official website. Social media platforms were additionally flooded with tributes where netizens recalled his flawless performances on screen.
Trending
Writer and television producer Alison Martino posted a few photos on Facebook, revealing that her father was close to Darren. She also wrote:
"We stayed in touch with James all these years and just saw him recently so this is tough. I take comfort in knowing they're both on the same mural in their home town along side Eddie Fisher and Frankie Avalon. It's just all too much lately."
Musician Bobby Darin praised Darren's appearances in TV shows like The Time Tunnel. He added a black-and-white to the Facebook post and disclosed that Darren composed most of the songs for the film The Lively Set.
James Darren had a net worth of $9 million
The Philadelphia, Pennsylvania native's website stated that he always called his grandmother the person who guided him throughout his career. His career started as a singer where he joined many nightclubs and slowly began developing an interest in acting.
James Darren learned everything about acting under the supervision of drama teacher Stella Adler and soon signed a seven-year deal with Columbia Pictures. He received the opportunity after being introduced to producer Joyce Selznick during the 50s, and this is where his successful journey as an actor started.
He later worked with Universal for seven more years and made guest appearances in TV shows such as Black Sheep Squadron and Hawaii Five-0. He made his debut with the crime film, Rumble on the Docks, playing the lead alongside Laurie Carroll, Michael Granger, and Robert Blake.
Darren later became a popular face for portraying Jeffrey Matthews in Gidget. The comedy film, which came out in 1959, led to a huge franchise that included several TV shows and films. Furthermore, Darren reprised his role in the sequels. He even served as a director, helming the episodes of some TV shows.
Coming to James Darren's television career, he was seen playing various characters, including Dr. Tony Newman in The Time Tunnel. His next major role was in the police drama series, T.J. Hooker, where he was cast as Officer Jim Corrigan. He was also seen as Vic Fontaine in eight episodes of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.
As mentioned, the Silk Stalkings star was famous for his singing skills. He had multiple albums in his credits, starting with James Darren No. 1. However, the two projects that became popular in this list were This One's From the Heart and Because of You.
Darren's survivors include his wife Evy Norlund, children Christian and Tony, and five grandchildren.
