James Darren (born June 8, 1936 in Philadelphia) is an American television star, film actor, singer, and director.

Born James William Ercolani, he is best known for his role as Moondoggie in the 1959 film, Gidget and as Tony Newman in the TV series, The Time Tunnel (1966-67). In the early 1960s he recorded several pop music songs and in 1998 he achieved renewed popularity as a singer through his appearances on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine in the role of Vic Fontaine.

A close friend of the late Frank Sinatra, Darren has recently made some recordings emulating Sinatra's style.

Best known singles

• Gidget (1959)
• Angel Face (1959)
• Goodbye Cruel World (1961)
• Her Royal Majesty (1962)
• Conscience (1962)

Notable films

• Rumble on the Docks (1956)
• Operation Mad Ball (1957)
• The Brothers Rico (1957)
• Gidget (1959)
• The Guns of Navarone (1961)
• For Those Who Think Young (1964)

External links

• James Darren photos and bio