James Darren, the former teen idol and pop singer who found success on television in the Aaron Spelling-produced crime drama "T.J. Hooker," died in his sleep at Cedars-Sin...

James Darren Dies: The ‘Gidget’ And ‘T.J. Hooker’ Star Was 88

James Darren, the former teen idol and pop singer who found success on television in the Aaron Spelling-produced crime drama "T.J. Hooker," died in his sleep at Cedars-Sin...

T.J. HOOKER - Cast Gallery - Shoot Date: June 22, 1983. (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/Disney General ... [+] Entertainment Content via Getty Images) JAMES DARREN Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images James Darren, the former teen idol and pop singer who found success on television in the Aaron Spelling-produced crime drama T.J. Hooker, died in his sleep at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center on Monday. He was 88. Born James William Ercolani on June 8, 1936 in Philadelphia, James Darren studied acting with Stella Adler for a number of years. After being discovered by casting director Joyce Selznick, Columbia signed Darren to a long-term contract in July 1956. Shortly later, he was filming his first film, Rumble on the Docks. Darren bowed on television as a guest star in the drama anthology The Web, and starting building his resume with roles on the big screen in comedy Operation Mad Ball, film noir entry The Brothers Rio, drama The Tijuana Story, all in 1957, and western Gunman’s Walk in 1958. James Darren in 1959. (Photo by Richard C. Miller/Getty Images) Donaldson Collection More to come...