James Darren passed away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 88 on Monday.
The actor, best known for his work on Gidget, TJ Hooker and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, died at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles, his son Jim Moret confirmed.
Although the cause of his death remains unclear, Moret said TMZ that his father was being treated for heart problems in the hospital’s cardiac unit.
Darren initially went to hospital for an aortic valve replacement, however his doctors sent him home after they deemed him too weak to undergo the procedure.
After being sent home, Darren was taken back to the hospital.
James Darren passed away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 88 on Monday; pictured in August 2014 in Las Vegas
Darren rose to fame and became known as a teenage heartthrob after landing the role of a surfer named Moondoggie in the 1959 romantic comedy Gidget.
Following its initial release, she also starred in the sequels Gidget Goes Hawaiian and Gidget Goes to Rome.
Darren was also known for his recurring role as police officer Jim Corrigan on the drama series TJ Hooker.
Darren starred in 66 episodes over four seasons from the show’s inception in 1982.
He was also known for his work on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.
In the late 1990s science fiction series, he played a recurring role of a holographic lounge singer named Vic Fontaine.
The actor, best known for his work on Gidget, TJ Hooker and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, died at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles, his son Jim Moret confirmed; he is seen in a promotional image for Gidget from 1959.
Darren rose to fame and became known as a teenage heartthrob after landing the role of a surfer named Moondoggie in the 1959 romantic comedy Gidget; pictured: Cliff Robertson, Sandra Dee, James Darren in a promotional image for Gidget from 1958
Darren was also known for his recurring role as police officer Jim Corrigan on the drama series TJ Hooker; from left: Heather Locklear, James, Adrian Zmed and William Shatner (front) seen in a 1985 promotional image from TJ Hooker.