LOS ANGELES (WPVI) — James Darren, the Philadelphia native who became a teen idol, singer and director, has died. He was 88.

Darren started a surfing craze in the 1960s with his role as Moondoggie in the “Gidget” movies.

He also starred in “TJ Hooker”, “Star Trek, Deep Space Nine” and directed behind the scenes television series.

A mural on Broad and Tasker Streets features Darren’s photo along with other South Philadelphia heartthrobs from the 1950s and 1960s.

James Darren died in his sleep Monday in a Los Angeles hospital.

His son Jim Moret told Variety that Darren was able to “express his love for his family” during treatment and called him “a good man” who remained “forever young.”