Who was James Darren married to? All about his wife and kids as former teen idol star dies aged 88

James Darren, the actor known for his teen idol role Moondoggie in the Gidget film series, and husband to Evy Norlund, passed away on Monday, September 2, at 88. Jim Moret, Darren’s eldest son through his marriage to his first wife Gloria Terlitsky, provided The Hollywood Reporter with a statement about the actor’s death.

Darren was initially taken to Los Angeles’ Cedars-Sinai Medical Center for aortic valve replacement surgery, but could not undergo the procedure due to his frail condition.

According to Jim, who is a correspondent at the Inside Edition, Darren later expired in his sleep at the hospital. Jim Moret told the outlet he believed his father would return to good health, adding:

"Because he was so cool. He was always cool."

Frank Sinatra's daughter Nancy shared a tribute to Darren on X, further confirming his passing. Nancy called the late actor one of her "dearest, closest friends in all the world". She revealed Darren was her daughter AJ Lambert's godfather.

James Darren is survived by his second wife Evy Norlund, and their sons Christian and Anthony Darren. The late actor has also left behind his five grandchildren and his goddaughter AJ.

During an interview with Entertainment Weekly published on August 6, 2004, Darren was asked if he had dated a Gidget costar. The late actor said he did not have a romantic relationship with anyone from the set. However, referring to Sandra Dee, he said:

"I was in love with Sandra. I thought she was absolutely perfect as Gidget. She had tremendous charm. But her mom was very protective, to say the least."

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Everything to know about James Darren's spouse and children

Substantial verified information about Darren's first wife Gloria Terlitsky is not available. The two were reportedly childhood sweethearts who walked down the aisle in 1955 but went through a divorce only three years later in 1958. Their only child, James Darren Jr. aka Jim Moret, was born in 1956.

The reason behind Darren and his first wife's divorce is not known. Gloria's third husband adopted Jimmy, who now uses his last name Moret. According to an Instagram birthday tribute by Moret, his mother, Gloria is now 84. She has seemingly kept her life private over the years.

Jim Moret is the father to his three children, Carly, Amanda, and Matthew, whom he shares with his wife Keri Stone Morret.

James Darren met his second wife Evy Norlund in 1960, the same year their elder son Christian was born. They welcomed Anthony, their young son in 1964. Evy was crowned Miss Denmark in 1958.

According to IMDB, Evy was previously betrothed to Klaus Pagh, the Danish filmmaker, producer, and actor. They met when Evy was training to be a hairdresser. With Pagh's help, Evy signed up for the Miss Denmark pageant and also pursued fashion studies.

Evy Norlund met James Darren in 1959 while she was attending an acting school and the latter was in the midst of a divorce with his then-wife Gloria. Darren and Evy continued their romance for a year and tied the knot in 1960 before the latter ended her engagement with Klaus Pagh.