James Darren dead at 88: T.J. Hooker star passes away after suffering from heart issues

James Darren passed away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 88 on Monday. 

The actor, who is best known for his work on Gidget, T.J. Hooker and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, died at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles, his son Jim Moret has confirmed.

While the cause of his death remains unclear, Moret told TMZ that his father was being treated for heart issues at the hospital's cardiac unit. 

Darren initially went to the hospital for an aortic valve replacement, however, his doctors sent him home after they deemed he was too weak to undergo the procedure. 

After being sent home, Darren was then taken back to the hospital. 

'I always thought he would pull through,' Moret told The Hollywood Reporter. 'Because he was so cool. He was always cool.'

The Philly native was inspired as a child to become an entertainer and would travel to study acting in New York City, where he was eventually connected with Columbia Pictures talent scout Joyce Selznick and signed with the studio.

 In 1956, he made his movie debut opposite Ryan Blake in the crime drama Rumble on the Docks. 

He also made appearances in Operation Mad Ball, The Brothers Rico, The Tijuana Story and Gunman's Walk. 

Darren rose to fame and became known as a teen heartthrob after landing the role of a surfer named Moondoggie in the 1959 romantic comedy Gidget. 

After its initial release, the teen idol also starred in the sequels Gidget Goes Hawaiian (1961) and Gidget Goes to Rome (1963). 

Early in his career, he also starred in the 1949 movie Knock on Any Door, the 1960 flick Let No Man Write my Epitaph, and the 1961 action adventure war film The Guns of Navarone. 

Darren was also renowned for his recurring role as police officer Jim Corrigan on the drama series T.J. Hooker. 

Darren starred on 66 episodes across four seasons since the show's inception in 1982. 

He was also known for his work on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. 

On the sci-fi series from the late 1990s, he played a recurring role of a holographic lounge singer named Vic Fontaine. 

Darren also portrayed an electronics genius Dr. Tony Newman in the adventure series, The Time Tunnel, that ran from 1966 to 1967 on ABC. 

In an interview with Tom Beaver for the film historian's 2008 book, I Talked With A Zombie, Darren said he had no interest in working in television or doing any science fiction projects prior to his meeting with the creator of The Time Tunnel, Irwin Allen.

Darren recalled Allen telling him: 'This is something you have to do. I know you don't want to do it, but I think you are perfect for this role.

He added: 'And he convinced me. Irwin was one of the great salespersons of our time. I accepted the role because of my meeting with him.'

In 1986, Darren added directing to his already impressive resume when he was an emergency fill-in for the director of T.J. Hooker for its final season.

Afterwards, he discovered his knack for filmmaking too and went on to helm episodes of Hunter, Silk Stalkings, Melrose Place, Werewolf, The A-Team and Beverly Hills, 90210. 

In addition to acting and directing, Darren was also a pop singer. 

His song Goodbye Cruel World reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1961. 

The following year, his song titled Her Royal Majesty, which was written by Carole King and Gerry Goffin, also cracked the top 10. 

It wasn't until the late '90s when he would revive his singing career for the syndicated Star Trek: Deep Space Nine series. 

He recorded several Frank Sinatra-inspired performances for the 1999 album This One's From the Heart as he portrayed a holographic lounge singer — a role which he called 'one of the most enjoyable' he had ever played. 

Darren went on to spend many years out of the public eye before he returned to Hollywood for Harry Dean Stanton's 2017 and final film Lucky. 

He was married to childhood sweetheart Gloria Terlitsky from 1955 until their 1958 divorce. In 1960, he married Evy Norlund, a former Miss Denmark.

Darren is survived by Norlund and three sons. In addition to Moret, he is survived by Christian and Anthony as well as grandchildren Amanda, Carly, Matthew, Natalie and Nicholas; and goddaughter A.J. Lambert, the daughter of Nancy Sinatra.