Actor James Darren, famous for roles in films like *Gidget* and TV shows such as *T.J. Hooker* and *Star Trek: Deep Space Nine*, has passed away at the age of 88.
According to TMZ, James Darren died peacefully in his sleep at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles on Monday.
The exact cause of death is not known yet, but his son, Jim Moret, shared that his father had heart problems and was being treated at Cedars-Sinai’s cardiac unit.
Darren had originally gone to the hospital for an aortic valve replacement but was considered too weak to have the surgery. He was sent home but had to return to the hospital shortly after.
Jim Moret expressed his thoughts, saying, “I always thought he would pull through because he was so cool. He was always cool.”
James Darren became famous as a teen idol when he played the surfer Moondoggie in the 1959 film *Gidget*. He returned to this role in the sequels *Gidget Goes Hawaiian* and *Gidget Goes to Rome*.
He also had a notable role as police officer Jim Corrigan on *T.J. Hooker*, where he appeared in 66 episodes over four seasons.
James Darren wasn’t just an actor; he was also a singer and performed the theme song for *Gidget*. He directed episodes for shows like *Melrose Place*, *Beverly Hills, 90210*, and *The A-Team*, among others.
Rest in peace, James Darren.
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From Small Town Dreams to Hollywood Stardom: How does the Legendary Actor Look Now?
The story of Earl Holliman’s journey to Hollywood is one of aspiration and perseverance. In 1943, Holliman was 14 years old and adamant about wanting to be a movie star.
Raised in Oil City and Mooringsport, rather than Shreveport as is frequently stated, he traveled via a number of locations before arriving in Hollywood.
He first went to see relatives in Camden, Arkansas, and from there he bused himself to Texarkana. He took a rideshare to Hollywood from there.
Holliman had worked the night shift at a diner close to Barksdale Air Force Base and as a theater usher, so he had saved some money. A serviceman he met at the cafe even gave him a lead on a place to stay, which turned out to be in El Monte, California, a good distance from Hollywood. Looking back on his trip, Holliman acknowledges that it was a dangerous decision that wouldn’t be prudent in the modern day.
DAILY LIFE IN HOLLYWOOD
After his initial try in Hollywood failed, Holliman made a quick trip back home before deciding to serve in the Navy. But his desire to be a movie star never went away. Later on, he went back to Los Angeles to continue his education at the University of California, Los Angeles and the Pasadena Playhouse.
Holliman’s perseverance was rewarded. With parts in “Giant” (1956), “Forbidden Planet,” “The Rainmaker,” and “The Sons of Katie Elder,” he amassed an amazing reel of cinematic credits. Additionally, he gained recognition for his television appearances, most notably in “Police Woman” with Angie Dickinson and in “The Thorn Birds” with Richard Chamberlain and Rachel Ward.
Holliman remembers his Hollywood days fondly, especially his first morning there. Wearing dark glasses and a silk shirt with short sleeves, he strutted in front of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, wondering if anyone thought he was a celebrity. The naive hopes of youth were present in that moment.
Check out the image below to see Earl Holliman’s current age of 95:
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