Jay North, Beloved Star of "Dennis the Menace," Passes Away at 73
Lake Butler, Florida — Jay North, the charming child actor who won America's heart as the lovable troublemaker Dennis Mitchell in the classic TV series Dennis the Menace, has passed away at the age of 73.
North died peacefully on Sunday at his home in Lake Butler, Florida, after a battle with colon cancer, according to statements from his longtime friend Laurie Jacobson and his booking agent Bonnie Vent.
“Jay had a heart as big as a mountain,” Jacobson wrote in a touching Facebook tribute. “He loved deeply, and never ended a phone call without saying, ‘I love you with all my heart.’”
Jay North rose to fame at just 6 years old, when he was cast as the iconic blond-haired prankster in CBS’s TV adaptation of Hank Ketcham’s comic strip Dennis the Menace. Wearing his signature striped shirt and overalls, North's character became a household name during the show’s four-season run from 1959 to 1963.
The series, set in a picture-perfect American suburb, followed Dennis’ playful escapades — often much to the dismay of his cranky neighbor, Mr. George Wilson (played by Joseph Kearns), and the amusement of viewers nationwide. His patient and loving parents were portrayed by Herbert Anderson and Gloria Henry.
After Dennis the Menace ended, the show lived on for decades in reruns, introducing new generations to North’s unforgettable character.
North continued acting into adulthood, with appearances in television favorites like The Man from U.N.C.L.E., The Lucy Show, My Three Sons, Lassie, and even The Simpsons. His film credits include Maya (1966), The Teacher (1974), and Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star (2003), a tongue-in-cheek look at life after childhood fame.
Jay North is survived by his third wife, Cindy, and three stepdaughters.
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