James Darren, known for his role as the teenage surfer in “Gidget,” has died.

Darren died Monday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, The Hollywood Reporter reported.

Jim Moret, Darren’s son and an “Inside Edition” correspondent, explained that the 88-year-old actor needed an aortic valve replacement but was not strong enough for the surgery.

“I always thought he would make it because he was so cool,” Moret told the outlet. “He was always cool.”

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James Darren played the role of Moondoggie in “Gidget”. (Getty Images)

During his long career, Darren acted, sang and built a successful career behind the scenes as a television director, directing episodes of such well-known series as “Beverly Hills 90210” and “Melrose Place”.

He made his debut as a teenage surfer in the 1959 film “Gidget.” Darren played Moondoggie and Sandra Dee played the title role.

“I was in love with Sandra,” Darren later recalled. “I thought she was absolutely perfect as Gidget. She had enormous charm.”

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James Darren co-starred with Heather Locklear and William Shatner in “TJ Hooker”. (Getty Images)

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Despite the film’s success, Darren was the only original cast member to star in the two sequels, “Gidget Goes Hawaiian” and “Gidget Goes to Rome.” Gidget was played by Deborah Walley in the second film and by Cindy Carol in the third.

“I always thought he would make it because he was so cool. He was always cool.”

— James Darren’s son, Jim Moret

“They had me under contract; I was a prisoner,” Darren told Entertainment Weekly in 2004. “But with those beautiful young ladies, I think it was the best prison I’ll ever be in.”

Darren took a break from acting and singing after taking a chance to direct “TJ Hooker,” in which he starred as Officer Jim Corrigan. He later returned to the screen with roles in “Melrose Place” and “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.”

James Darren, right, was an actor, singer and director throughout his career in Hollywood. (Getty Images)

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.