Evy Norlund‘s name might not be as well-known, but her impact was undeniable. As James Darren‘s second wife, she brought happiness to his life that he hadn’t known before. Their story as spouses began after they tied the knot on February 6, 1960, at the iconic St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City.
At the time, James was riding high on his teen idol status, charming audiences as Moondoggie in the Gidget films. And his marriage to Evy further enhanced his personal life. For the first time, he “finally recognized love and saw what it was like to be in love.”
Their family grew quickly. The couple welcomed their first son, Christian, in 1960, with Anthony ‘Tony’ following about four years later. As Darren’s career evolved from pop singer to TV star in shows like The Time Tunnel and T.J. Hooker, Evy balanced motherhood with the unique demands of Hollywood life.
Their marriage lasted 64 years until James passed away on September 2, 2024. He died peacefully in his sleep at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles at 88. His oldest son, Jim Moret, shared that he had been facing health issues, including an aortic valve replacement surgery which unfortunately he wasn’t strong enough to undergo.
While much has been said about James’ career in the spotlight, less is known about Evy. Who was she beyond her role as a Hollywood wife? Let’s take a closer look at her life.
Originally From Denmark, She Settled In The USA Following Her Marriage
Copenhagen-born Evy’s life took an unexpected turn when she met James. The daughter of Harald and Agnete Laurense Larsen, she brought her Danish heritage to a new chapter in America.
When she was getting married to James, her parents couldn’t make the long journey from Denmark. So in their absence, James’ father, William Ercolani, stepped in to walk her down the aisle.
Soon after, the newlyweds flew to Copenhagen where James met her parents, three sisters, and two brothers, bridging her Danish roots with her new American life.
She Is A Former Miss Denmark
Before she became Mrs. Darren, Evy, 88, wore a different kind of crown. In 1958, she became Miss Denmark.
The following year, she packed her bags and headed to Hollywood, chasing the Miss Universe title. While she couldn’t win it all, fate had something else in store. She won a consolation prize, a short-term contract with Columbia Studios that ultimately became her ticket to a new world.
She Was Engaged Before Meeting James
Norlund’s path to love wasn’t straightforward. When she arrived in Hollywood, her heart was already spoken for. Back in Denmark, she was engaged to Klaus Pagh, a Danish actor, director, and producer.
However, life had other plans. While honing her skills at a studio acting school, she crossed paths with James. Sparks flew between them, complicating her personal life. At that time, James was wrapping up his divorce with his first wife, Gloria Barbara Terlitzsky and she was engaged to Klaus.
Faced with a crossroads, she made a pivotal decision. She returned to Denmark, not for a happy reunion, but to break off her engagement. This bittersweet journey cleared the way for her future with James, setting the stage for their enduring love story.
Despite Showing Promise As An Actress, She Stepped Away From The Spotlight After Getting Married
Initially a trainee hairdresser in Denmark, Norlund’s life changed when she met Klaus, her ex-fiancé. He saw her potential, arranging for her to become a photo model and enter pageants.
Pursuing her new direction, she studied at a fashion school. Her journey led her to Hollywood and eventually, she made her big screen debut in the 1959 film, The Flying Fontaines. Apart from that, she also appeared in an episode of Behind Closed Doors the same year.
However, after marrying James, she chose to step back from her budding career. She occasionally appeared with her late spouse at events but largely left the spotlight behind.
Today, she lives in Beverly Hills, California, with memories of both her brief time as an actress and her life with James.