Jay North, best known for his role in “Dennis the Menace,” died on Sunday after a long battle with cancer. He was 73.
His death was first announced by lifelong friend Jeannie Russell, who played Dennis’ playmate Margaret Wade in the series.
Other former child stars, including “My Three Sons” actor Barry Livingston and “Lassie’s” Jon Provost, joined in to mourn the performer, calling him a “original and dear friend.”
North was born on August 3, 1951, in Hollywood. By the age of eight (TV publicists encouraged him to claim he was a year younger), he was well-known across the country for his portrayal of the mischievous Dennis in the television adaptation of the popular comic strip.
The show ran from late 1959 to 1963, during which his mother dutifully saved his earnings. He later condemned his aunt’s behavior, accusing her of physical and mental abuse, complicating his feelings about his breakout performance on the show.
The show lost popularity among viewers, and North became a victim of having aged out of the industry. He struggled in the future after making many TV guest appearances and cross-over promotion for “Dennis,” as well as a handful of films.
He appeared in two films, “Zebra in the Kitchen” (1965) and “Maya” (1966), before going on hiatus. During this time, he did dinner theater and voice work, including a role as a teen Bamm-Bamm on the animated “Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm Show” (1971-1972).
In 1974, he starred in the thriller “The Teacher”.
North joined the Navy and later made a few more acting appearances, including “General Hospital” (1982).
He was the victim of one of the first widespread death hoaxes in 1988, and he channeled that and other absurdities of being a famous child in his 2003 appearance in “Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star”.
He was married three times and is survived by his wife of over 30 years, Cindy, and three stepdaughters.