Born James Ercolani in Philadelphia, Darren was already using a stage name when he starred in "Gidget" in 1959 and its sequels. His fame was secured instantly by the '50s surf-culture hit ...

He also recorded hit songs, “Gidget” and “Angel Face.” Darren was born James Ercolani in 1936 and grew up in South Philadelphia. It was in the same area of teen idols of the 1950s and ...