Actor James Darren dies aged 88 after six decade-career

James Darren, left, chats with Nancy Sinatra, centre, and Claudia Martinin 1963 (AP)

US actor James Darren, who starred in the 1959 surf movie Gidget which ignited the surfing craze of the 1960s, has died aged 88.

He died in his sleep at a Los Angeles hospital on Monday, his son Jim Moret confirmed.