‘T.J. Hooker’ actor James Darren dies aged 88 – rest in peace

Actor James Darren, famous for his roles in movies like *Gidget* and TV shows such as *T.J. Hooker* and *Star Trek: Deep Space Nine*, has passed away at 88.

TMZ reported that the longtime actor died peacefully in his sleep at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles on Monday.

The cause of his death is still unknown, but his son, Jim Moret, shared with TMZ that his father had been dealing with heart problems and was being treated in the hospital’s cardiac unit.

It seems Darren went to the hospital for an aortic valve replacement, but doctors thought he was too weak for surgery. After being sent home, he returned to the hospital soon after.

“I always believed he’d get better,” said his son Jim, “because he was so cool. He was always cool.”

Darren gained fame as a teenage heartthrob when he played the surfer Moondoggie in the 1959 film *Gidget*. He returned for two sequels, *Gidget Goes Hawaiian* and *Gidget Goes to Rome*.

He was also known for playing police officer Jim Corrigan in *T.J. Hooker*, appearing in 66 episodes over four seasons.

In addition to acting, Darren had a music career and sang the theme song for *Gidget*. He also directed several episodes of popular TV shows like *Melrose Place*, *Beverly Hills, 90210*, and *The A-Team*.

Rest in peace, James Darren.