Jay North, a former child actor known for playing the title role on the sitcom “Dennis the Menace,” has died, according to a Facebook post by his friend, Lauren Jacobson, who was informed by his “Dennis the Menace” co-star Jeannie Russell. He was 73, according to the Associated Press.
“Jeanne Russell just called us with terribly sad, but not unexpected news. Our dear friend JAY NORTH has been fighting cancer for a number of years and this morning at noon EST, Jay passed peacefully at home,” Jacobson wrote April 6.
“As many of his fans know, he had a difficult journey in Hollywood and after…but he did not let it define his life,” she continued. “He had a heart as big as a mountain, loved his friends deeply. He called us frequently and ended every conversation with ‘I love you with all my heart.’ And we loved him with all of ours… He is out of pain now. His suffering is over. At last he is at peace.”
“Dennis the Menace,” which ran for four seasons between 1959 and 1963, featured North bringing to life the impish boy initially made famous in newspaper comic strips. Dressed in a striped shirt and overalls, the well-meaning Dennis stirred up trouble in his neighborhood, mostly to the consternation of his stern neighbor, Mr. Wilson.
North, whose last on-screen credit was “Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star” in 2003, per IMDb, also starred in the 1966 movie “Maya,” as well as a short-lived TV series based on the film. In addition, he took on several voice roles on shows such as “Arabian Knights,” “Here Comes the Grump,” “The Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm Show,” “The Flintstones Comedy Hour” and “The Simpsons.”
Jay North as the title character in “Dennis the Menace.”Silver Screen Collection / Getty Images
North, who also served in the Navy, worked in the health food industry and became a corrections officer, spoke about the difficulties he endured as a child actor, warning others about the pitfalls of such a career.
“My advice would be for people to just keep their kids out of show business altogether because it just destroys lives,” he once told Katie Couric in an interview.
He also was candid about how he could not escape the shadow cast by playing Dennis.
“Yes, I was typecast. I worked for a couple years after ‘Dennis the Menace,’ but into my teen years, early twenties, the industry pretty much shut its doors on me. Because I was typecast as Dennis the Menace. It was what it was,” he told the Washington Times in 2017.
North’s death was also mourned by other child actors from the 1960s who shared their thoughts about his passing on Facebook.
“The business was tough on Jay,” former “Munsters” star Butch Patrick wrote. “He seemed happy in Florida and I’m glad he’s at peace. I can’t imagine the workload that being Dennis put on him. It definitely wasn’t a good time. I had a great run but lots of others were damaged goods after. R.I.P. my dearest friend.”
“JAY NORTH, RIP,” former “Donna Reed Show” star Paul Petersen wrote. “A flickering light has gone out. Dennis the Menace has shed his mortal coil. Goodbye, my friend.”
“Very sad to hear that an old friend, Jay North, passed away. RIP, JN,” wrote former “My Three Sons” star Barry Livingston.
