Top 10 movies and TV shows of James Darren that defined his career in Hollywood!

James Darren, born on June 8, 1936, was a legendary actor, singer, and director. The legendary personality left an unforgettable legacy before passing away at 88 on September 2, 2024.

Positioned at 9th place in the Laurel Awards’ Top Male New Personality in 1959, James began his career as an actor in the movie Rumble on the Docks (1956) and TV show The Web (1957).

In addition to his acting legacy, he was a famous pop singer with hit singles like Goodbye Cruel World, Because You’re Mine, Come Fly With Me, and Her Royal Majesty.

Undoubtedly, James Darren has influenced many people through his movies and TV shows, so we have ranked some of his performances that defined him as an actor.

10. Werewolf (1987-1988)

Werewolf is a horror show that follows the story of Eric Cord, a young man cursed with lycanthropy after being attacked by his friend, who turned into a werewolf.

It is a dark and atmospheric series that delves into the psychological and emotional consequences of being a werewolf.

James Darren directed 7 episodes of the series, which marked their strong pacing and attention to character-driven stories.

Moreover, the show blended suspense and action with its horror elements, making it a standout horror series for its time. It also got nominations for Best Sound Editing in the Golden Reel Award for two consecutive years.

Although Werewolf only has one season, it has gained a massive following since it first aired, with great reviews from viewers, ranking at 7.7 stars out of 10 on its IMDb page.

9. Diamond Head (1962)

Diamond Head is a romantic drama movie directed by Guy Green and based on a 1960 novel of the same name. It stars talented actors like Charlton Heston, Yvette Mimeux, and George Chakiris.

The plot follows Sloane Howland, who falls in love with a local Hawaiian man named Paul Kahana. However, her brother, Richard “King” Howland, a compelling figure in the town, does not favor this relationship and tries to break them apart.

As the story goes on, Sloane and Howland face several hurdles to make King accept their love for each other.

James played the primary role of Paul, Sloane’s lover, marking one of his few major roles in movies and TV shows.

Furthermore, the movie received 57% on Rotten Tomatoes, resulting in mixed reviews, and earned around $4.5 million, along with rental charges.

8. Nowhere Man (1995-1996)

Nowhere Man is a psychological thriller starring Bruce Greenwood as photojournalist Thomas Veil, whose identity has been erased overnight for a single photograph.

The show explores themes like paranoia, trust, identity, and conspiracy with an intricate narrative through Thomas, whose wife no longer recognizes him, and all records of his existence have vanished.

Although James Darren didn’t act in Nowhere Man, his contribution as the episode “The Incredible Derek” director remains crucial.

The show draws on the themes of shady government organizations and cover-ups embodied by the enemies behind the conspiracy as Veil tries to reclaim his life.

Despite its short run, Nowhere Man gained critical acclaim and love from the audience for its ambitious and thought-provoking narrative.

The series was nominated for a Primetime Emmy in 1996 and has a user score of 75% on The Movie Database.

7. All the Young Men (1960)

Another war-related movie on the list, All the Young Men, is the first movie for James Darren in the genre. Directed by the late Hall Bartlett, the movie had legendary actors like Alan Ladd and Sidney Poitier in it.

Touching a sensitive subject such as racism, the story sees Eddie Towler, an African-American sergeant who has to take command of his platoon in the Korean War after the passing of the previous leader while also facing lots of racial hate from his teammates.

In the movie, James played Private Cotton, the previous leader who passed away after ensuring all the duties were assigned to Eddie.

The movie received mainly mixed reviews from critics and scored 48% on Rotten Tomatoes. Similarly, it earned $2 million against a budget of $1 million.

6. The Time Tunnel (1966-1967)

The Time Tunnel was a groundbreaking series that introduced audiences to time travel. The science fiction movie follows two scientists who were accidentally transported to the past by a time machine.

The series follows Dr. Tony Newman, played by James Darren, and Dr. Doug Philips, played by Robert Colbert, who try to find a way back to the present while encountering historical figures and events.

Darren’s performance as the lead was filled with energy and enthusiasm, bringing a sense of wonder and excitement to the show.

Viewers praised the show for its imaginative storytelling and special effects, making it a popular hit. The series also won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography.

Created by Irwin Allen, The Time Tunnel has continued to amaze audiences since it aired in 1966 and has become a cult classic.

The Time Tunnel remains one of James Darren’s most popular works, with a 76% user score on The Movie Database and many people still watching and reviewing it.

5. Gidget (1959)

Gidget is a teen comedy movie starring an ensemble cast of Cliff Robertson, Sandra Dee, Arthur O’Connell, and James Darren. Furthermore, Paul Wendkos was responsible for the direction of the movie.

We follow Frances Lawrence, a teenage tomboy nicknamed ‘Gidget,’ as she spends her summer vacation learning how to surf and falls in love with Jeffrey Matthews, a fellow surfer. Throughout the movie, we see how both of them clear various confusions they had about each other and reconcile.

James Darren played Jeffrey Matthews, Frances’s love interest, whose nickname is ‘Moondoggie.’

While the movie only received mixed reviews from the critics, with some praise for its treatment of teenage issues like love and friendship, many consider it the beginning of the ‘party beach’ genre.

The movie’s box-office collection was $1.5 million, and its rating on Rotten Tomatoes is 55%.

4. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993-1999)

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine is considered one of the most critically acclaimed series in the Star Trek franchise, with James Darren appearing in 8 episodes.

Set on a space station near a wormhole to the Gamma Quadrant, the show explored war, diplomacy, and the search for meaning as the station’s crew faced challenges from within and outside.

Darren appeared as Vic Fontaine, a holographic singer, in the sixth season and reprised his role in the seventh. Vic was an entertainer who also confided in the crew and helped them navigate personal issues.

Darren performed several songs throughout his appearance on the show, providing a breath of fresh air and warmth to the intense narrative, making his character a fan favorite.

The series was well-received and became one of the most popular in the Star Trek universe. It gathered a huge fan following and ran for 7 seasons.

Appreciated for its world-building, characters, arcs, and storytelling, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine stands the test of time with a whopping 91% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

3. The Guns of Navarone (1961)

The Guns of Navarone is an adventure war movie directed by J. Lee Thompson based on a novel of the same name. The movie features many famous actors like David Niven, Gregory Peck, and Anthony Quinn.

The film tells the story of Keith Mallory, a captain leading a group of soldiers to an island near the Aegean Sea, which is filled with Germans. The soldiers must make tough choices to accomplish their mission.

Moreover, James Darren plays Spyros Pappadimos, a real-life soldier who played an important role in the war.

The movie was praised for its action and historical accuracy and obtained a rating of 92% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Furthermore, the movie was also a commercial success, with a box-office revenue of $28.9 million against a budget of $6 million.

2. T.J. Hooker (1982-1986)

T.J. Hooker is a classic 80s cop drama following the adventures of veteran detective T.J. Hooker, played by William Shatner, including other memorable characters like Vince Romano, Jim Corrigan, and Stacy Sheridan.

Set in Los Angeles, the show delved into the darker side of law enforcement. Nonetheless, it was a blend of action, drama, and comedy.

James Darren played the role of Officer Jim Corrigan, a young and idealistic detective who worked as Hooker’s partner.

While the no-nonsense cop Hooker anchored the series, Corrigan’s laid-back and wise persona acted as a moral compass and provided a contrast to Hooker’s more cynical approach.

Though it didn’t reach the heights of other cop shows of its time, many loved it, and it ran for five seasons from 1982 to 1986.

T.J. Hooker remains a solid and entertaining piece of 80s television, with 86% of users liking the show on Google, making it one of the best projects James Darren has been a part of.

1. Lucky (2017)

Made under the direction of Jon Carroll Lynch, Lucky is a drama movie that was the last movie of Harry Dean Santon, the lead, and James Darren.

Throughout the movie, viewers follow a 90-year-old man named Lucky as he contemplates the meaning of life and death. Through his interactions with neighbors and friends, he learns more about faith, belief, and existence.

For his final movie role, James played Paulie, the husband of the bar owner, whom Lucky frequently visits for a drink.

Many praised the movie for its sense of humor, along with the wisdom it shared. Furthermore, the movie has won several accolades at the Satellite Awards, Tallgrass Film Festival, and Haifa International Film Festival.

Gaining critical acclaim, the movie has 97% on Rotten Tomatoes and earned $955,925 at the box office.