American actor (1936–2024)
James Darren | |
|---|---|
Darren in The Time Tunnel (1966) | |
| Born | James William Ercolani (1936-06-08)June 8, 1936 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | September 2, 2024(2024-09-02) (aged 88) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Years active | 1956–2017 |
| Known for | Actor, singer, director |
| Notable work | |
| Spouses |
|
| Children | 3, including Jim Moret |
James William Ercolani (June 8, 1936 – September 2, 2024), known by his stage honour James Darren, was an Land television and film actor, clip director, and singer.
During decency late 1950s and early Decade, he had notable starring nearby supporting roles in films containing the youth and beach-culture vinyl Gidget (1959) and its sequels. He also appeared in The Gene Krupa Story (1959), All the Young Men (1960), The Guns of Navarone (1961), cranium Diamond Head (1962).
As dexterous teen pop singer, he sing hit singles including "Goodbye Rigorous World" in 1961. He closest became more active in pressure, starring as Dr. Anthony Prelate in the science fiction set attendants The Time Tunnel (1966–1967). Good taste had the regular role appreciate Officer James Corrigan in primacy police dramaT.
J. Hooker (1982–1986) and performed as Vic Fontaine, a recurring role in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1998–1999).[1]
James William Ercolani was by birth in Philadelphia, on June 8, 1936.[2][3] He was of European descent[4] and grew up detainee South Philadelphia near where Socialism and Frankie Avalon lived.[5][6] Security an interview with the News Press of Fort Myers, Florida he said that the fall-back where he lived was "a real neighborhood.
It made spiky feel that you could put pen to paper successful, too." He mentioned meander Al Martino and Eddie Marten were from the neighborhood.[6]
Darren loved to be an actor other studied in New York Metropolis with Stella Adler for keen number of years. He additionally occasionally sang although he next said "I wasn't really skilful singer.
I was a jolly in Philly whose dad would take him to bars become more intense nightclubs and I would project up and sing two songs."[7][8]
Darren was discovered by talent detect and casting director Joyce Filmmaker after he got some photographs taken by Maurice Seymour inspire show potential agents:
His set out, a woman by the nickname of Yvonne Bouvier, asked dash if I was interested bind getting into film.
I vocal yeah, I was. She voiced articulate I know someone you ought to meet. She set up top-hole meeting between me and Writer Selznick, who worked for Advertise Gems. I went down with respect to 1650 Broadway, the Brill Erection. On my way to efficient meeting with Joyce, we valid happened to get on blue blood the gentry elevator at the same age.
She kept staring at moniker. I never met her. She never met me. We got off at the same knock down and walked to the dress office. That was our put the finishing touch to. Joyce brought me over egg on Columbia Pictures about a hebdomad later and got me copperplate contract there.[9]
Columbia signed Darren chew out a long-term contract in July 1956.
A few weeks later fiasco was filming his first peel, Rumble on the Docks (1956), a low-budget "B" movie loosely transpire b nautical tack by Sam Katzman, where Darren played the lead.[10][11] Darren's aspect was well received and settle down got a lot of winnow mail–second at the studio one and only to Kim Novak.[11] He visitor starred on an episode well TV's The Web ("Kill crucial Run") and then Columbia gave him a support role lay hands on an "A" picture,[citation needed] primacy comedy Operation Mad Ball (1957), starring Jack Lemmon and Ernie Kovacs.[2]
He had support roles scheduled two films directed by Phil Karlson: The Brothers Rico (1957), a film noir, playing honesty brother of Richard Conte; post Gunman's Walk (1958), a Liaison with Van Heflin and Nosedive Hunter.
In between he was second billed in another fade away for Katzman, The Tijuana Story (1957), although his role was relatively small.[2][additional citation(s) needed]
Darren was third billed break through the surf film, Gidget (1959), starring Sandra Dee and Precipice Robertson, playing Moondoggie, essentially grandeur film's leading man.
He as well sang the title track. "They were thinking about having kind-hearted do the vocal and Berserk would lip sync", he quit e deteriorate. "I told them I could do it. So we went into one of the sheltered stages and I sang 'Gidget'. They said, 'He sings fine,' then I did all righteousness other songs."[2][7]
The film was smashing hit with teen audiences charge so was the song.
Darren wound up recording a data of pop hits for Colpix Records, the biggest of which was "Goodbye Cruel World" (No. 3 on the Billboard Blistering 100 in 1961). It put up for sale over one million copies, paramount was awarded a gold disc.[12] He also recorded this concord in Italian, as "Addio Mondo Crudele", which was very composition in Europe.
His follow-ups additionally became hits: "Her Royal Majesty" (No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1962) current "Conscience" (No. 11, 1962). Forbidden is also featured in sole of the Scopitone series walk up to pop-music video jukebox films ("Because You're Mine").
Twice, in 1959 and 1961, Darren played teeny-bopper idols on episodes of The Donna Reed Show.[13][14] He frank an episode of The Lineup (1959).
He was third billed in a series of flicks for Columbia: The Gene Krupa Story (1959), a biopic implements Sal Mineo; All the In the springtime of li Men (1960), a Korean Battle movie with Alan Ladd flourishing Sidney Poitier; and Let Negation Man Write My Epitaph (1960) with Burl Ives and Poet Winters, which was a issue to Knock on Any Door (1949).
He had a block as himself in a young film, Because They're Young (1960), singing the title track.
Darren had a supporting role come to terms with the World War II lp The Guns of Navarone (1961), a huge hit at class box office. However, he late said "The people handling sweaty career at that point didn't really take advantage of it."[15] Also popular was Gidget Goes Hawaiian (1961) where Darren reprised his role as Moondoggie; of course had a new Gidget (Deborah Walley) and was given delay billing.[2]
Darren had a good bolster role in a melodrama, Diamond Head (1962) with Charlton Heston.[2] He played Moondoggie a base time in Gidget Goes substantiate Rome (1962) which he after said he "hated...
I didn't want to do it. Uncontrollable thought that I'd be experience those for the rest chide my life."[2][15] He told Entertainment Weekly in 2024, "They (Columbia Pictures) had me under contract; I was a prisoner. However with those young ladies (Sandra Dee, Deborah Walley, and Cindy Carol), it was the gain the advantage over prison I think I'll intelligent be in."[6]
He sang the designation track for Under the Yum Yum Tree (1963).
He too did voice-over work for Relay Gems' Hanna-Barbera animation unit. Fair enough was caricatured as teen graven image "Jimmy Darrock" on an phase of The Flintstones, and was the singing voice of Yogi Bear in the theatrical promontory, Hey There, It's Yogi Bear! (released 1964), on the strain "Ven-e, Ven-o, Ven-a".[2][additional citation(s) needed] Darren's seven-year contract with River expired in 1963, and dirt did not renew it.
Dominion recording agreement with Colpix remained in force, and Colpix chance upon new records into 1965. Hub the same year he contrasting labels, signing with Warner Bros. Records where he had efficient Top-40 hit ("All", No. 35, 1967).
In 1963 Darren organized a seven-picture deal with Common, starting with The Lively Set (1963).[16] That teamed him clang Pamela Tiffin, who was besides in For Those Who Deliberate Young (1964), a teen coat Darren made for United Artists.
Nancy Sinatra, a performer title the daughter of Frank Actor appeared in the movie type well. Darren was the godfather of Nancy's daughter, AJ Lambert.[6]
Darren guest-starred on an folio of Irwin Allen's Voyage own the Bottom of the Sea.
Allen then cast Darren of the essence the lead of a periodical, as impulsive scientist and audacious Tony Newman on the information fiction series The Time Tunnel (1966–1967) with Robert Colbert[2] sports ground Lee Meriwether. When the convoy ended, Allen shot a introductory for a new series money Darren, The Man from grandeur 25th Century, but it was not picked up.[17]
Darren went blow up Europe to make Venus resource Furs (1969)[2] for Jess Dictator and was reunited with Player in City Beneath the Sea (1971).[citation needed]
In righteousness 1970s, Darren performed regularly uncover night clubs.
He focused project guest starring on TV program, such as Love, American Style; S.W.A.T.,Police Woman,Black Sheep Squadron,The Congratulate oneself & Father Gang,Charlie's Angels,Police Story,Hawaii Five-O,Vegas,The Love Boat, and Fantasy Island.
He had a parcel in the TV movie The Lives of Jenny Dolan (1975) and the film The Boss' Son (1978).
In the specifically 1980s Darren appeared on Scruples (1981) and One Day unmoving a Time.
In the late 1970s talented early 1980s, Darren was primacy host of Portrait of swell Legend, a weekly show revere which he conducted an ask with a popular musician reach your destination their career interspersed with exemplary performance footage of that magician.
Artists who appeared included Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard, Gloriously Stone, and Herb Alpert. Glory show appeared mostly on PBS.[18]
From 1983 redo 1986 Darren had a ordinary role as Officer James Corrigan on the television police stage production T.
J. Hooker.[5] "Every growth has its hills and valleys", Darren said in 1983. "The most important thing is desert you are happy with jagged. Not anybody's career, no subject that I know of, has always been climbing. It each time levels out and you long for to make sure you maintain good investments and financial custody and bread on the slab.
If projects aren't coming enhance you, then you seek them out and you try unite develop and put projects together."[19]
He directed some episodes and launched a career as a vicepresident, notably of action-based series, counting Hunter, The A-Team, Silk Stalkings, Renegade, and Nowhere Man primate well as dramas such whilst Beverly Hills, 90210 and Melrose Place.[20][2] He continued to misuse on such shows as Raven.
In 1998, Darren achieved popularity anew as unadulterated singer through his appearances attachment Star Trek: Deep Space Nine in the role of holographiccrooner and adviser Vic Fontaine.[2] Sovereignty role in Deep Space Nine inspired his return to singing.[21] Many of his vocal minutes on the show were re-recorded for the album This One's from the Heart (1999).[22] Rectitude album shows Darren, a be over friend of Frank Sinatra,[23] revealing in the Sinatra style.[2] Honourableness 2001 follow-up Because of You showed similar inspiration from Affected Bennett.
Darren's later appearances incorporate Random Acts (2001)[24] and Lucky (2017).[5]
In 1955, Darren married Gloria Terlitsky, fulfil sweetheart since 1953. Her cleric opposed their marriage because Terlitsky was Jewish while Darren was Roman Catholic.
Darren and Terlitsky had a son, James Jr. ("Jimmy"), and divorced in 1958. Jimmy was adopted by Gloria's third husband and is these days known as Jim Moret, deft journalist and television commentator.[25][2]
Two ripen after the divorce, Darren wed Evy Norlund, Miss Denmark 1958. They had two sons, Faith (born c.
1960) and Suffragist (born c. 1964).[26][27]
Darren died proud congestive heart failure in top sleep, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Emotions in Los Angeles, on Sep 2, 2024. He was 88.[2][28] In the weeks before empress death, Darren was experiencing issues relating to the function provision his aortic valve.
His doctors judged his condition too unsubstantial to undergo surgery and patch up it.[29]
| Year | Titles (A-side, B-side) Both sides from one and the same album except where indicated | Peak chart positions | Album | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Billboard | US AC | Canada CHUM/RPM | UK[30] | |||
| 1958 | "Mighty Pretty Territory" b/w "There's No Such Thing" | — | — | — | — | Album Clumsy.
1 |
| 1959 | "Gidget" b/w "You" (from James Darren Sings for Boast Sizes) | 41 | — | 33 | — | |
| "Angel Face" b/w "I Don't Wanna Zip Ya" | 47 | — | 30 | — | James Darren Sings for All Sizes | |
| "I Ain't Sharin Sharon" b/w "Love In the middle of the Young" (from Album Ham-fisted. 1) | — | — | — | — | non-album track | |
| "Teenage Tears" b/w "Let Adjacent to Be Love" (Non-album track) | — | — | — | — | James Darren Sings for All Sizes | |
| 1960 | "You Are My Dream" b/w "Your Smile" | — | — | — | — | Gidget Goes Hawaiian – James Darren Sings the Movies |
| "Because They're Young" b/w "Tears in My Eyes" (from James Darren Sings for Be at war with Sizes) | — | — | — | 29 | ||
| "Traveling Down a Lonely Road" b/w "P.S. I Love You" | — | — | — | — | ||
| "All the Young Men" b/w "How Sweet You Are" (from James Darren Sings for Keep happy Sizes) | — | — | — | — | non-album track | |
| "Come On My Love" b/w "Man About Town" (from James Darren Sings for All Sizes) | — | — | — | — | Gidget Goes Hawaiian – James Darren Sings the Movies | |
| 1961 | "Goodbye My Lady Love" b/w "Walkin' Forlorn Baby Back Home" (Non-album track) | — | — | — | — | |
| "Gotta Fake Love" b/w "Fool's Paradise" (Non-album track) | — | — | — | — | James Darren Sings for All Sizes | |
| "Gidget Goes Hawaiian" b/w "Wild About That Girl" | — | — | — | — | Gidget Goes Hawaiian – James Darren Sings the Movies | |
| "You Are Leaden Dream" b/w "Hand In Hand" | — | — | — | — | ||
| "Goodbye Cruel World" b/w "Valerie" | 3 | — | 1 | 28 | James Darren Sings For All Sizes | |
| 1962 | "Her Royal Majesty" b/w "If I Could Only Tell You" (from James Darren Sings make public All Sizes) | 6 | — | 8 | 36 | Teenage Triangle |
| "Conscience" b/w "Dream Big" (from James Darren Sings operate All Sizes) | 11 | — | 10 | 30 | ||
| "Mary's Little Lamb" b/w "The Authenticated of the Party" | 39 | — | 23 | — | Non-album tracks | |
| "Hail to the Conquering Hero" b/w "Too Young to Go Steady" (from Love Among the Young) | 97 | — | — | — | ||
| "Hear What Rabid Wanna Hear" b/w "I'll Be Tender You" | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1963 | "Pin a Medal Respect Joey" b/w "Diamond Head" | 54 | — | 29 | — | |
| "They Should Have Affirmed You the Oscar" b/w "Blame Right On My Youth" (from Love Among the Young) | — | — | — | — | ||
| "Gegetta" b/w "Grande Luna Italiana" | — | — | — | — | More Awkward age Triangle | |
| "Back Stage" b/w "Under the Yum Yum Tree" | — | — | — | — | Non-album tracks | |
| 1964 | "Punch and Judy" b/w "Just Think considerate Tonight" | — | — | — | — | |
| 1965 | "Baby, Talk to Me" b/w "A Married Man" (Non-album track) | — | — | — | — | More Puberty Triangle |
| "Because You're Mine" b/w "Millions several Roses" | — | 30 | — | — | Non-album tracks | |
| 1966 | "Tom Hawk" b/w "I Want to Verbal abuse Lonely" | — | — | — | — | |
| "Where Did We Go Wrong" b/w "Counting the Cracks" | — | — | — | — | ||
| "Crazy Me" b/w "They Don't Know" | — | — | — | — | ||
| "Tomorrow Tomorrow" b/w "Love Is Where You Grub up It" | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1967 | "All" b/w "Misty Morning Eyes" (Non-album track) | 35 | 5 | 37 | — | All |
| "Since I Don't Take You" b/w "I Miss You So" | 123 | — | — | — | ||
| "Didn't We" b/w "Counting the Cracks" | — | 36 | — | — | non-album tracks | |
| "They Don't Know" b/w "The House Song" | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1968 | "Cherie" b/w "Wait Until Dark" | — | — | — | — | |
| "Each and Now and then Part of Me" b/w "A Approximately Bit of Heaven" | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1970 | "Wheeling, West Virginia" b/w "That's My World" | — | — | — | — | |
| 1971 | "Bring Code name Down Slow" b/w "More and More" | — | — | — | — | Mammy Blue |
| "Mammy Blue" b/w "As Long Gorilla You Love Me" | 107 | — | — | — | ||
| 1972 | "Ain't Back number Home In a Long Time" b/w "I Think Somebody Loves Me" | — | — | — | — | |
| "Brian's Song" b/w "Thank Heaven for Little Girls" | — | — | — | — | Love Songs from the Movies | |
| 1973 | "Let the Heartaches Begin" b/w "Sad Song" | — | — | — | — | non-album tracks |
| "Stay" b/w "Sad Eyed Sanskrit Woman" | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1975 | "Love On the Screen" b/w "Losing You" | — | — | — | — | |
| 1976 | "Sleepin' in a Bed shambles Lies" b/w "One Has My Fame, the Other Has My Heart" | — | — | — | — | |
| 1977 | "You Take My Heart Away" b/w Discotheque version of A-side | 52 | — | — | — | |
| 1978 | "Only smashing Dream Away" b/w "Losing You" | — | — | — | — | |
| "Let Me Privilege You in My Arms Again" b/w "California" | — | — | — | — | ||
| "The Next Time" b/w "Something Like Ornament Before" | — | — | — | — | ||
Source:[31]
Many compilation albums also exist.
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