29 Facts About James Darren

James William Ercolani was born on June 8,1936 and known by his stage name James Darren, is an American television and film actor, television director, and singer.

James Darren later became more active in television, starring as Dr Anthony Newman in the science fiction series The Time Tunnel.

James Darren appeared in the regular role of Officer III James Corrigan in the police drama T J Hooker and in the recurring role of Vic Fontaine in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.

James Darren wanted to be an actor and studied in New York City with Stella Adler for a number of years.

James Darren was discovered by talent agent and casting director Joyce Selznick after he got some photographs taken by Maurice Seymour to show potential agents:.

James Darren set up a meeting between me and Joyce Selznick, who worked for Screen Gems.

James Darren guest starred on an episode of TV's The Web then Columbia gave him a support role in an "A" picture, the comedy Operation Mad Ball, starring Jack Lemmon and Ernie Kovacs.

James Darren had support roles in two films directed by Phil Karlson: The Brothers Rico, a film noir, playing the brother of Richard Conte; and Gunman's Walk, a Western with Van Heflin and Tab Hunter.

James Darren was third billed in the surf film, Gidget, starring Sandra Dee and Cliff Robertson, playing Moondoggie, essentially the film's leading man.

James Darren recorded this song in excellent Italian, as "Addio Mondo Crudele", which was very successful in Europe.

James Darren's follow-ups became hits: "Her Royal Majesty" and "Conscience".

James Darren is featured in one of the Scopitone series of pop-music video jukebox films.

Twice, in 1959 and 1961, James Darren played teen idols on episodes of The Donna Reed Show.

James Darren was third billed in a series of films for Columbia: The Gene Krupa Story, a biopic with Sal Mineo; All the Young Men, a Korean War movie with Alan Ladd and Sidney Poitier; and Let No Man Write My Epitaph with Burl Ives and Shelley Winters, which was a sequel to Knock On Any Door.

James Darren had a cameo as himself in a teen film, Because They're Young, singing the title track.

James Darren had a supporting role in the World War II film The Guns of Navarone, a huge hit at the box office.

James Darren had a good support role in a melodrama, Diamond Head with Charlton Heston.

James Darren did voice-over work for Screen Gems' Hanna-Barbera animation unit.

James Darren's recording agreement with Colpix remained in force, and Colpix issued new records into 1965.

In 1963 James Darren signed a seven-picture deal with Universal, starting with The Lively Set.

That teamed him with Pamela Tiffin, who was in For Those Who Think Young, a teen film James Darren made for United Artists.

James Darren guest starred on an episode of Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea as an Android Omar, that was produced by Irwin Allen.

James Darren then went to Europe to make Venus in Furs for Jess Franco then was reunited with Allen in City Beneath the Sea.

James Darren had a role in the TV movie The Lives of Jenny Dolan and the film The Boss' Son.

James Darren directed some episodes and launched a career as a director, notably of action-based series, including Hunter, The A-Team, Silk Stalkings, Renegade, and Nowhere Man, as well as dramas such as Beverly Hills, 90210 and Melrose Place.

James Darren continued to act on such shows as Raven.

In 1955, James Darren married Gloria Terlitsky, his sweetheart since 1953.

James Darren's father opposed their marriage because Terlitsky was Jewish while Darren was Catholic.

Two years after the divorce, James Darren married Evy Norlund, Miss Denmark 1958.