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James Darren

James Darren

Actor and director · Died September 2, 2024, aged 88 · Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

​From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.   James William Ercolani (June 8, 1936 - September 2, 2024), known by his stage name James Darren, was an American television and film actor, television director, and singer. He wanted to be an actor and studied in New York City with Stella Adler for a number of years. He would also occasionally sing although he later said "I wasn't really a singer. I was a kid in Philly whose dad would take him to bars and nightclubs and I would get up and sing two songs." Darren was discovered by talent agent and casting director Joyce Selznick after he got some photographs taken by Maurice Seymour to show potential agents: His secretary, a woman by the name of Yvonne Bouvier, "asked me if I was interested in getting into film. I said yeah, I was. She said I know someone you should meet. She set up a meeting between me and Joyce Selznick, who worked for Screen Gems. Joyce brought me over to Columbia Pictures about a week later and got me a contract there." Columbia signed Darren to a long term contract in July 1956. A few weeks later, he was filming his first film, Rumble on the Docks. His appearance was well received and he got a lot of fan mail - second at the studio only to Kim Novak. Darren guest starred on an episode of TV's The Web ("Kill and Run") then Columbia gave him a support role in an "A" picture, the comedy Operation Mad Ball, starring Jack Lemmon. He had support roles in two films directed by Phil Karlson: The Brothers Rico and Gunman's Walk. In between he was in The Tijuana Story, although his role was relatively small. Darren was third billed in the surf film, Gidget. He also sang the title track. The film was a hit with teen audiences and so was the song. Darren wound up recording a string of pop hits for Colpix Records, the biggest of which was "Goodbye Cruel World". It sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc. Another sizeable hit was "Her Royal Majesty". He is also featured in one of the Scopitone series of pop music video jukebox films ("Because You're Mine"). Darren was third billed in a series of films for Columbia: The Gene Krupa Story, All the Young Men, and Let No Man Write My Epitaph. He had a cameo as himself in a teen film, Because They're Young, singing the title track. Darren had a supporting role in the World War II film The Guns of Navarone. Also popular was Gidget Goes Hawaiian, where Darren reprised his role as Moondoggie; he was given top billing. Darren also acted in Diamond Head as well as a third time in Gidget Goes to Rome, which he sang the title track for, Under the Yum Yum Tree. In 1963, Darren signed a seven picture deal with Universal, starting with The Lively Set. He was the singing voice of Yogi Bear in the animated film, Hey There, It's Yogi Bear!, on the song "Ven-e, Ven-o, Ven-a". He was the singing voice of his own character "Jimmy Darrock" on an episode of The Flintstones. However the character's dialogue was provided by voice actor Lennie Weinrib. He subsequently 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. Description above from the Wikipedia article James Darren, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
June 8, 1936
Died
September 2, 2024 (aged 88)
From
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Works as
Actor and director
Titles
35 on MovieCove · 58 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Official site (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 38 days to Oct 27Down 33% in 30 days

What are James Darren's films like?

Across their 18 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Self and Bonds.

Genres

Comedy5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 64th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Action2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 71st percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Action movies
Drama2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 47th percentile
: browse their Drama movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Self
24%
Bonds
23%
Morality
20%
Power
10%
Survival
8%
Society
7%
Ideas
7%
Romantic love6 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice3 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship2 titles, browse their movies with this themeComing of age2 titles, browse their movies with this themeClass3 titles, browse their movies with this themeDuty2 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 14 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 7 · Serious 3 · Dark 4

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 9 · Stylized 4 · Heightened 1

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

A split, not a type: Gentle 7 · Charged 2 · Intense 5

Steady: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their steady movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 10 · Shifting 4 · Whiplash 0

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 7 · Some laughs 3 · Funny 4

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 6 · Even-paced 8 · Relentless 0

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 10 · Engaged 4 · Full focus 0

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 12 · Open-ended 1 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

7 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 4 of 7 analyzed roles.

Hero
4 of 7
Herald
1 of 7
Ally
1 of 7
Shapeshifter
1 of 7
Show the 7 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
8
Joyful
6
Melancholic
9
Thrilling
5
Warm
6
Other
12

How their films linger

Bittersweet8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 3 with a twist

  • Happy7
  • Bittersweet8
  • Ambiguous3

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch James Darren's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 28 of their 35 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (18).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for James Darren's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

58 credits, 35 with a MovieCove page; 16 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Lucky(2017)

    as Paulie

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • Savannah (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Nowhere Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Diagnosis Murder(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Councilman Matthew Watson

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all shows

  • Walker, Texas Ranger(1993)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all shows

  • Star Trek: Deep Space Nine(1993)

    Show 8 episodes · as Vic Fontaine

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • Renegade(1992)

    Show 1 episode · Director · as Lou Delgado

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all shows

  • Melrose Place(1992)

    Show 5 episodes · Director · Actor

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all shows

  • Raven (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Show 4 episodes · Director

  • Silk Stalkings(1991)

    Show 3 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all shows

  • Beverly Hills, 90210(1990)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all shows

  • Hardball (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

  • Something Is Out There (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Werewolf (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Show 5 episodes · Director

  • T.J. Hooker: Blood Sport (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Officer Jim Corrigan

  • Stingray(1986)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • Hunter(1984)

    Show 6 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all shows

  • The A-Team(1983)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all shows

  • T.J. Hooker(1982)

    Show 66 episodes · Director · as Dan Danko · as Officer Jim Corrigan

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all shows

  • Aliens From Another Planet (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Tony Newman

  • Scruples (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    as Vito Orsini

  • Turnover Smith (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    as Georgie Green

  • The Boss' Son (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    as Buddy Weistein

  • Vega$ (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Fantasy Island(1977)

    Show 1 episode · as Michael Duvall

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all shows

  • The Love Boat(1977)

    Show 1 episode · as Tony Streeter

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all shows

  • Battle of the Network Stars (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Charlie's Angels(1976)

    Show 1 episode · as David Barzak

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all shows

  • Baa Baa Black Sheep (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Show 1 episode · as Lt. Col. Rod Towers

  • The Lives of Jenny Dolan(1975)

    as Orlando

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • S.W.A.T.(1975)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all shows

  • Police Woman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Show 2 episodes · as Rick Matteo

  • Police Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Show 1 episode · Director · as Roger Lewis

  • Mooch(1974)

    as James Darren

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • City Beneath the Sea(1971)

    as Dr. Talty

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • Love, American Style (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Show 1 episode · as Roger Barnes

  • Venus in Furs(1969)

    as Jimmy Logan

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • Hawaii Five-O(1968)

    Show 2 episodes · as Johnny Munroe

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all shows

  • The Time Tunnel(1966)

    Show 30 episodes · as Tony Newman

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all shows

  • The Lively Set (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    as Casey Owens

  • Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea(1964)

    Show 1 episode · as Omir

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all shows

  • Hey There, It's Yogi Bear(1964)

    as Yogi Bear ('Ven-e, Ven-o, Ven-a') (singing voice)

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • For Those Who Think Young(1964)

    as Gardner "Ding" Pruitt III

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • Gidget Goes to Rome(1963)

    as Moondoggie (Jeffrey Matthews)

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Diamond Head(1962)

    as Paul Kahana

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Gidget Goes Hawaiian (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    as Jeffrey "Moondoggy" Matthews

  • The Guns of Navarone(1961)

    as Pvt. Spyros Pappadimos

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • Let No Man Write My Epitaph(1960)

    as Nick Romano

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • The Flintstones(1960)

    Show 1 episode · as Jimmy Darrock (voice)

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all shows

  • All the Young Men(1960)

    as Pvt. Cotton

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • The Gene Krupa Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    as Eddie Sirota

  • Gidget(1959)

    as Moondoggie

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • The Donna Reed Show(1958)

    Show 1 episode · as Buzz Berry · as Kip Dennis / Jim Bryce

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all shows

  • Gunman's Walk(1958)

    as Davy Hackett

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all films

  • The Tijuana Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    as Mitch

  • The Brothers Rico (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    as Johnny Rico

  • Operation Mad Ball(1957)

    as Pvt. Widowskas

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • Rumble on the Docks (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    as Jimmy Smigelski

Career shape

Star power in the 95th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 58 titles from 1956 to 2017; peak year 2017.

Biggest box office

Lucky (2017)

$2.7M worldwide

Highest rated

The Guns of Navarone (1961)

Midcredits 94th

Most popular right now

Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990)

Film career

19562017

Peak 2017 · steadily prominent in film for years. Top draw in 2 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting46 of 58: 42 only acting, 4 with another role · typical Midcredits score48thDirecting16 of 58: 12 only directing, 4 with another role · typical Midcredits score29th

58 titles, 4 with more than one role — acting and directing overlap on 4 of them.

By decade

1950s8 · acting1960s15 · acting1970s13 · 13 acting · 1 crew1980s11 · 5 acting · 7 crew1990s10 · 4 acting · 8 crew2010s1 · acting

Billing

usually 4th · top billed in 13% of 8 roles

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30.

How do James Darren's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 55th percentile, the median of all 15; across their 14 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 62nd percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

62ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 14

Approval · how many liked their films

51stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 14

Reach · how many have seen their films

53rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 14

Midcredits score across 35 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up5
  • 50th to 74th11
  • 25th to 49th11
  • Below 25th8

Shape of the crowd

15 of their 35 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved2
  • Cult Classic2
  • Crowd Pleaser15
  • Broadly Agreed3
  • Mixed13

Most divisive · actor

Mooch (1974)

85th percentile spread · 34% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

The Guns of Navarone (1961)

Midcredits 94th · 85% liked

Reviewers score the acting 67/100 in their films, across 13 reviewed titles; fans 78, detractors 42. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is James Darren's work okay for kids?

Across up to 6 MovieCove titles with content scores, 2 of the 5 categories sit near the median of all films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore5 titles19–63 · median 47 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity6 titles7–49 · median 32 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity4 titlesmedian 34 · mildMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs4 titlesmedian 48 · moderateMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense4 titlesmedian 44 · moderateMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does James Darren work with?

People who share at least 2 of James Darren's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; George Duning shares the most, 4.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and editors

Producers