James Darren, ‘Gidget’ teen idol, singer and director, dies at 88

James Darren, ‘Gidget’ teen idol, singer and director, dies at 88

James Darren — left, one of the stars of the film For Those Who Think Young — chats with Nancy Sinatra, centre, and Claudia Martin about their film debuts, August 13, 1963.

LOS ANGELES — James Darren, a teen idol who helped ignite the 1960s surfing craze as a charismatic beach boy paired off with Sandra Dee in the hit film “Gidget,” died Monday at 88.

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