Star Trek: Deep Space Nine actor, James Darren, passes away at age 88

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As a fan who grew up with the golden era of television, I have to say that James Darren was more than just a talented actor; he was a cherished part of my childhood memories. From his days as a teen idol in “Gidget” to his no-nonsense cop character in “T.J. Hooker,” and finally to the wise, savvy crooner Vic Fontaine in “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine,” Darren’s roles left an indelible mark on me, and millions of other fans.

James Darren briefly appeared on the holographic stage within Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, spanning eight episodes from 1998-1999. However, his character, Vic Fontaine, resonated deeply with fans who adored the intelligent and charming singer. One of the most impactful episodes, “It’s Only a Paper Moon” in season seven, is still highly regarded as one of the best in the series. In this episode, Nog (Aron Eisenberg) chooses to spend the entire story inside a hologram to avoid confronting his life without a leg. It takes Fontaine’s wisdom and firm guidance to help Nog realize that his life continues to hold value. Similar to how Darren lived his own life, Fontaine made Nog’s existence worthwhile too.

As a devoted admirer, I’m saddened to share that the iconic performer, whom I had always looked up to, departed from us on September 2, at the venerable age of 88. According to his son, Jim Moret, our beloved artist was under the care of the cardiac department at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles before he left us. [As reported by Variety] In his final moments, Darren expressed his profound love for his family. Moret paid tribute to his father, describing him as a ‘good man’, gifted and eternally youthful.

Before stepping into the role of Benjamin Sisko on Deep Space Nine, I, the gamer here, had previously portrayed the tough-as-nails cop, Jim Corrigan, in the gritty cop drama “T.J. Hooker.” It was during this stint that I first crossed swords, or rather badges, with my future Star Trek captain, William Shatner. However, it all started much earlier for me as a teen idol and singer. I played Jeff Matthews {Moondoggle] in a series of popular beach movies, beginning with the iconic “Gidget.”

In 2017, Darren’s final appearance on television was in the movie “Lucky,” starring Harry Dean Stanton. He is mourned by his wife of six decades, Evy, sons Jim Moret, Christian Darren, and Tony Darren; as well as five grandchildren. Our thoughts go out to his family during this difficult time. It’s sad to know that watching Star Trek: Deep Space Nine just won’t feel the same without him.

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2024-09-04 04:23