- Born
- Died
- Birth nameJames William Ercolani
- Height5′ 9″ (1.75 m)
- Good-looking James Darren was a student of acting coach Stella Adler and made his name in the 1950s in a series of teenage-themed films. A better actor than most of his contemporary teenage heartthrobs, he nevertheless found it difficult to escape the teen-idol image he got in pictures like Gidget (1959) and Gidget Goes Hawaiian (1961). He also gained fame in the early and mid-1960s as a singer, with several hits to his credit, including "Goodbye Cruel World" and "Her Royal Majesty". His film work tapered off in the 1960s, but he did much TV work and had two hit series, The Time Tunnel (1966) in the 1960s and T.J. Hooker (1982) in the 1980s.- IMDb mini biography by: frankfob2@yahoo.com
- SpousesEvy Norlund(February 6, 1960 - September 2, 2024) (his death, 2 children)Gloria Barbara Terlitzsky(1955 - June 25, 1959) (divorced, 1 child)
- Children
- ParentsWilliam "Ray" ErcolaniVirginia Dolores Lipiano Ercolani
- RelativesJohn Darren(Sibling)
- Godfather of A.J. Lambert, who is the daughter of Nancy Sinatra and granddaughter of Frank Sinatra. Darren was a close friend of Sinatra and his family.
- At one time in the 1970s he toured the country as a singer, with comedian Buddy Hackett.
- As a teen, he commuted from South Philly to New York to attend Stella Adler's drama classes.
- Is a longtime friend of the late Julie London and the late Bobby Troup. In Darren's young career, he co-starred opposite her second husband in The Gene Krupa Story (1959).
- His wife, Evy Norlund, is the former Miss Denmark of 1958.
- [on being a teen idol] At times it was Chinese torture.
- I think Ricky Nelson said it best in "Garden Party": "You can't please everyone, so you got to please yourself." If you're content with doing what you're doing, stick with it. If not, find the road that takes you there.
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