James Darren, known for his role in “Gidget,” died Monday at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles. He was 88.

Darren’s son, Jim Moret, said he was being treated in the cardiac unit.

“He was a good man. He was very talented,” Moret said, per Variety. “He was forever young.”

Darren also starred in “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” and “T.J. Hooker,” while also leaving his mark as a singer and director.

According to the report, Darren embraced his signature role as the surfer Moondoggie in the “Gidget” movie.

Darren also sang the title track for the hit movie. The tune was the start of a successful career for Darren, who had a gold record with “Goodbye Cruel World” in 1961 and released at least 14 albums. He continued to appear in feature films including “The Guns of Navarone,” “The Gene Krupa Story,” “All the Young Men” and “Because They’re Young.”

He reprised his role as Moondoggie in “Gidget Goes Hawaiian” and again in “Gidget Goes to Rome,” though he was tired of the typecasting by then.

Darren was a regular on “T.J. Hooker” from 1983 to 1986 and also moved into TV directing, working on series including “Beverly Hills, 90210″ and “Melrose Place.”

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.