Actor, 60s Teen Idol, Singer, and Producer James Darren has passed away after a rich and varied life in the Entertainment industry. James Darren’s career got going in the 1960s when he got the role of Jeffrey Matthews aka Moondoggie in the 1959 teen movie Gidget, which made him into one of the 1960s first teen idols. From that point on the actor and performer carved out a varied career as a singer, actor and producer as well as becoming known for a few high-profile roles in genre TV shows. He also had a memorable role in Guns of Navarone alongside acting legends such as David Niven and Gregory Peck.
The actor’s relationship with science fiction television started with his role as Dr. Tony Newman in the Irwin Allen-produced Time Tunnel, which ran for one season and became somewhat of a cult hit via reruns. Many other guest roles of a more down-to-earth nature followed on TV series such as The Love Boat, Fantasy Island, and many more. In 1982 he won the role of the troubled and somewhat cynical cop Jim Corrigan in TJ Hooker where he starred alongside William Shatner, Heather Locklear, and Adrian Zmed. That series ran for five seasons and was somewhat of a comeback for the actor regarding his television work.
When he wasn’t acting he was singing and recording music and had a few hits in the 1960s with songs like “Goodbye Cruel World” and “Her Royal Majesty”. However, his skills as both an actor and singer would stand him in good stead as he enjoyed another comeback in the 1990s when he won the hearts of many Star Trek fans with his role as Vic Fontaine the much-loved lounge singer who resided at his club on the Holodeck aboard Deep Space Nine. This role not only revived his career as an actor, but it also helped a resurgence in his career as a singer as a few music recordings of the many standards he sang on the series followed.
When asked about Vic over at Startrek.com the actor beamed with the following, “Vic Fontaine was like – what can I say? – it was a dream come true for me. It was one of the most enjoyable roles for me to have played.”
We here at SciFiPulse pass on our deepest condolences to the family and friends of James Darren.
