Jay North, Star of Classic TV Show ‘Dennis the Menace’, Dies at 73
Jay North, the actor who played the iconic role of Dennis Mitchell in the 1959-63 CBS comedy series ‘Dennis the Menace’, has passed away at the age of 73. According to Jeannie Russell, who played Margaret Wade on the show, North died on Sunday at his home in Lake Butler, Florida, after a long battle with colon cancer. Russell described North as her "otherworldly brother".
North’s role as Dennis Mitchell, the well-intentioned but troublesome youngster with a characteristic blond cowlick, made him a household name. The show, based on the comic strip created by Hank Ketcham, aired on Screen Gems and followed the adventures of Dennis and his family, including his parents Henry and Alice, played by Herbert Anderson and Gloria Henry. The series also starred Gale Gordon as John Wilson, the brother of George Wilson, played by Joseph Kearns.
North was just six years old when he first auditioned for ‘Dennis the Menace’, and eight years old when the show premiered in October 1959. During his time on the show, North appeared in over 100 episodes, bringing the beloved character to life for millions of viewers. After the show ended its four-season run, North continued to appear in television and film, including roles in ‘Zebra in the Kitchen’ (1965) and ‘Maya’ (1966).
In a 1993 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, North reflected on his time on ‘Dennis the Menace’, saying, "Between the pressures of the business and Joe’s dying, I became very serious, very morbid and very withdrawn from the world. I was the antithesis of the little kid that I played on the television show." North also spoke about the challenges he faced as a child star, including alleged abuse by his guardian on the show.
North’s experiences as a child star were marked by difficulties, including a tumultuous home life and struggles with his guardian. In the same 1993 interview, North revealed that he was abused by his aunt, who was his guardian on the show. "If it took me more than one of two takes, I would be threatened and then whacked," he said. "Even if a delay wasn’t my fault, she would find a way to blame me and punish me. She was also very possessive and isolated me from the rest of the cast."
Despite these challenges, North continued to work in the entertainment industry, appearing in a range of television shows and films. He starred in the MGM movie ‘Zebra in the Kitchen’ (1965), directed by Ivan Tors, and played opposite Clint Walker in the India-set adventure ‘Maya’ (1966). North also returned for a 1967-68 ‘Maya’ series for NBC, which he found to be a rewarding experience.
North was born on August 3, 1951, in Los Angeles, California. He began his acting career at a young age, appearing on the L.A. kids TV show ‘Cartoon Express’, where he was spotted by talent agent Hazel MacMillan. MacMillan helped North land roles on shows such as ‘Wanted: Dead or Alive’, ’77 Sunset Strip’, and ‘Sugarfoot’, before he was cast as Dennis Mitchell on ‘Dennis the Menace’.
In addition to his work on ‘Dennis the Menace’, North appeared on other popular TV shows, including ‘The Donna Reed Show’ and ‘The Red Skelton Hour’. He also worked as a voice actor on kids shows such as ‘The Banana Splits Adventure Hour’ and ‘The Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm Show’. Later in his life, North worked with Paul Petersen in the ‘The Donna Reed Show’ actor’s organization, A Minor Consideration, to help former childhood stars deal with real-life challenges.
North is survived by his third wife, Cindy. His legacy as Dennis Mitchell on ‘Dennis the Menace’ continues to entertain audiences to this day, with the show remaining a beloved classic of American television.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter – Jay North, Star of ‘Dennis the Menace’, Dies at 73
