James Darren

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James Darren (2015)

James Darren (born June 8, 1936 in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania ; actually James William Ercolani ) is an American actor , singer and director of television series.

Life

After high school, Darren attended Stella Adler's drama school in New York City . He was discovered by Joyce Selznick, niece of the film producer David O. Selznick , who gave him his first film contract with Columbia Pictures in 1956 . This was followed by the first supporting roles in films of various genres, which culminated in his first major success in 1959 with the teenage comedy April discovered the men (original title Gidget ), for which he also recorded the theme song. He then starred in other sequels of Gidget , which made him a popular star among teenagers at times, although he could not achieve the respect of most critics. From the beginning of the 1960s, he started a music career and published songs, some of which landed in the charts , although the number 50 was rarely undercut. His music was similar in style to that of his friend Frank Sinatra .

From 1966 Darren got his first leading role in television in the series Time Tunnel , in which he played the impulsive scientist and adventurer Tony Newman . He also appeared in The Seaview - On a Secret Mission as a guest star in the episode The Android . After the termination of Time Tunnel, Darren's acting career silted up noticeably, in the 1970s he was mostly on TV guest roles and appearances in nightclubs.

In 1982 he had a small comeback at the side of William Shatner in the television series TJ Hooker , when he played the police officer James Corrigan in 66 episodes . After that he worked more behind the camera and directed some episodes of Beverly Hills 90210 , Hunter and the Palm Beach Duo . Between 1998 and 1999 he played the role of the holographic singer Vic Fontaine in several episodes of the science fiction series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine . After a long period of inactivity as a film actor, Darren appeared in a supporting role in the tragicomedy Lucky in 2017 .

James Darren has been married to Evy Norlund for the second time since 1960 and has a total of three sons.

Discography (excerpt)

  • Goodbye Cruel World (1961)
  • Her Royal Majesty (1962)
  • All (1967)
  • You Take My Heart Away (1976)
  • This One's from the Heart (1999)
  • Because of You (2001)

Filmography (selection)

As an actor

As a director

  • 1986: TJ Hooker (1 episode)
  • 1986: The A-Team (episode Family Reunion )
  • 1987–1988: The Werewolf Returns ( Werewolf ; 8 episodes)
  • 1987-1991: Hunter (7 episodes)
  • 1988: A Bull Made of Granite ( Police Story: Gladiator School ; TV movie)
  • 1992–1993: Raven (4 episodes)
  • 1993: Walker, Texas Ranger (1 episode)
  • 1994–1995: Palm Beach Duo ( Silk Stalkings ; 3 episodes)
  • 1996: Beverly Hills, 90210 (2 episodes)
  • 1996/1997: Melrose Place (2 episodes)
  • 1996–1997: Savannah (4 episodes)

Web links

Commons : James Darren  - Collection of Images
personal data
SURNAME Darren, James
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Ercolani, James William (real name)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American singer, actor and director
DATE OF BIRTH June 8, 1936
PLACE OF BIRTH Philadelphia , Pennsylvania, United States