James Darren, Star of ‘Gidget’ and ​’Star Trek: Deep Space Nine’, Passes‌ Away at 88

James Darren, an ⁣actor and singer who rose to fame in the 1960s as a youth star in the United States, has passed away at the⁣ age of‌ 88.

According to foreign⁢ news outlets, Darren’s son announced that his father died⁣ of⁤ congestive heart failure at‌ a hospital in Los Angeles on September 2.

Darren’s ⁣breakout ⁣role came in 1959 with the film ‘Gidget’, which sparked a surfing craze⁤ in the United States. He went on to appear in ​several sequels and became a household name.

In ‍addition to​ his acting career, Darren also pursued a career in music.⁤ He released several singles, including ‘Goodbye Cruel World’, which earned him a Grammy nomination in 1961.

Darren’s talents extended beyond acting and music. He also worked as a ‍director, serving as ⁢a stand-in director for the TV series ‘TJ Hooker’ in the 1980s. He went on to direct episodes of⁣ popular series such ‍as‍ ‘Melrose Place’ and ‘Beverly Hills, 90210’.

In the 1990s, Darren returned to acting, ​landing the role of Vic Fontaine in ‍’Star Trek: Deep Space Nine’. He continued ‍to work in the entertainment ‌industry, appearing in films ​and TV shows until​ his passing.

Darren was born‌ in Philadelphia in ‌1936 to‍ Italian immigrant parents. He began ⁢his acting career at a young age, dropping out of school at 16 to pursue his dreams.

After studying under legendary acting coach Stella Adler, Darren signed with Columbia Pictures and made his film ​debut in ‍the 1956 film ‘Rumble⁤ on the Docks’.

Darren is survived by his wife,‍ Evi Norlund, whom⁢ he married in 1960, as well as three‌ sons and⁤ five grandchildren.