R.I.P James Darren, Teen Pop Singer and Dr. Tony Newman on The Time Tunnel

The actor became trapped in time during his role on The Time Tunnel. He was 88

James Darren, a teen pop singer mostly known for his roles as Officer Jim Corrigan on T.J. Hooker, Jeffery Matthews in the 1959 film Gidget, Vic Fontaine on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and Dr. Tony Newman on The Time Tunnel, has died.

According to Variety, his son, Jim Moret, confirmed his father's passing on Monday in Los Angeles. "He was a good man. He was very talented," he told Variety. "He was forever young."

Born on June 8, 1936, in Philadelphia, Darren, whose real name is James William Ercolani, dreamed of being an actor. He studied in New York City with Stella Adler and was eventually discovered by a talent agent. In July 1956, Darren signed a long-term contract with Columbia, starring in his first "B" film, Rumble on the Docks. For the next two years, he'd make guest appearances on TV shows and productions such as The Web (1956), Operation Mad Ball (1957), The Brothers Rico (1957), and Gunman's Walk (1958).

In 1959, Darren starred alongside Sandra Dee and Cliff Robertson in Gidget (1959), playing Jeffery Matthews, aka Moondoggie. He also snagged the title track, which became a hit among teens along with the film. Singing was something Darren did a lot as a child in Philadelphia, and his father often took him to bars and nightclubs to perform.

With his acting and singing career on the rise, Darren recorded various pop hits for Colpix Records; the biggest was "Goodbye Cruel World," which peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1961. It sold over one million copies and was awarded a gold disc (a platinum record today).

Many fans fell in love with Darren during his role as Dr. Tony Newman on The Time Tunnel (1966), where he portrayed a scientist working on a top-secret project which allowed people to travel through time.

Darren was simultaneously starring in films and showing up on shows while recording more records. In the 1970s, he enjoyed nightclub performances and focused on guest starring on TV series, such as Love, American Style, S.W.A.T., Police Woman, Black Sheep Squadron, The Feather and Father Gang, Charlie's Angels, Police Story, Hawaii Five-O, Vegas, The Love Boat, and Fantasy Island.

From 1983 to 1986, he had a regular role as Officer James Corrigan on the television police drama T.J. Hooker. He also directed episodes of The A-Team, Renegade, and Hunter, among many more.

Darren was also a close friend of Frank Sinatra, and Nancy Sinatra celebrated her friend's life in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

He was 88.

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20 Comments

deltadart 3 months ago
He had a good rendition of the Song " My Cup Runneth Over" in 1967. He also sang the song "Ven-e, Ven-o, Ven-a" for Yogi Bear in the 1964 Feature film- Hey There, It's Yogi Bear!
cperrynaples 3 months ago
Darren's TT co-star Robert Colbert is still alive! He's most famous for unsuccessfully replacing James Garner on Maverick!
maxh22 3 months ago
RIP Mr. Darren. We miss you 💐
Sway 3 months ago
RIP James Darren. Lots of talent. 🕊️
cperrynaples 3 months ago
Fun Fact: Frank Sinatra Jr. ALMOST played Vic Fontaine, but thought he would be better as an alien!
wanderer2575 3 months ago
Vic Fontaine: "Look, kid, I don't know what's going to happen to you out there. All I can tell you is that you've got to play the cards life deals you. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. But at least you're in the game."

R.I.P. Mr Darren.
MrsPhilHarris 3 months ago
I think the only thing I saw him in was the Gidget movie. 🤔
FloridaTopCat 3 months ago
RIP, James. Deep Space 9, Time Tunnel, Si-Fi at it's best!
Snickers 3 months ago
Really liked his Vic Fontaine character on Deep Space Nine and as Tony on Time Tunnel. Thanks for the memories and R.I.P James.
BrittReid 3 months ago
Liked Time Tunnel and Guns Of Navarone. R.I.P. James Darren.
Runeshaper 3 months ago
R.I.P. James Darren. I'll always remember you as Vic Fontaine on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, but you did so much with your life and I know that many will never forget you. Thanks for everything!
justjeff 3 months ago
As a kid growing up in Brooklyn, NY in 1961, "Goodbye Cruel World" was one of my favorite songs. He recorded that for the Colpix label (a division of Columbia Pictures) which eventually morphed into the Colgems label [for Columbia Screen Gems] that was the home of The Monkees.

He also had hits with "Her Royal Majesty" (#6) and "Conscience" (#11) along with other lower charting singles. Label mates included Shelley Fabares ("Johnny Angel", "Johnny Loves Me") and Paul Peterson ("My Dad, "She Can't Find Her Keys") from the Donna Reed Show along with The Marcels ("Blue Moon", "Heartaches", "Melancholy Baby")...
BrittReid justjeff 3 months ago
Goodbye Cruel World was a great tune and still is today.
justjeff BrittReid 3 months ago
"Oh, step right up and take a look at a fool
He's got a heart as stubborn as a mule
C'mon everybody, he's good for a laugh
And no one can tell his heart is broken in half..."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUFsTNDkoF4
cperrynaples BrittReid 3 months ago
Fun Fact: Goodbye Cruel World is also the title of an Elvis Costello album! Most critics hated that album and even Elvis was disappointed but it's still worth a listen! No, he didn't cover the James Darren song, but maybe he should have! Also, Darren isn't related to Bobby Darin: Not only is it spelled differently, but it's not even his real name!
72doug 3 months ago
He was great in T.J. Hooker! R.I.P. James!
Peter_Falk_Fan 3 months ago
I always liked him in "The Time Tunnel." He was good in "The Guns of Navarone."

R.I.P. James Darren
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