Jay North, the known child actor who starred as Dennis Mitchell in CBS's Dennis the Menace, sadly died in his home in Florida at the age of 73. North is survived by his wife, Cindy, and his three stepdaughters.
Videos by Wide Open Country
According to Laure Jacobson, a longtime friend with North and Bonnie Vent, his booking agent, confirmed the news to The Associated Press. It was revealed that Jay North died after a years-long battle with colon cancer. Jacobson broke the news on
Facebook after speaking with Jeannie Russell, who played Margaret Wade, Dennis Mitchell's playmate in Dennis the Menace."As many of his fans know, he had a difficult journey in Hollywood and after," Jacobson wrote. "But he did not let it define his life. 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."
"A life-long friend of Jon's, a brother to Jeanne and a dear friend to me, we will miss him terribly. He is out of pain now. His suffering is over. At last he is at peace," Jacobson concluded.
Jacobson's husband, Jon Provost, who played Timmy Martin in CBS's Lassie, also shared a touching tribute to North on
Facebook."It wasn't as easy for you as it was for some of us, not that it was a piece of cake that's for sure," Provost wrote. "But you did suffer a lot more than most. You were a great guy Jay and I miss you with all my heart, but I know you're at peace now."
Remembering Jay North
Born on August 3, 1951, Jay North demonstrated a fascination with TV at a very young age. He landed small parts in shows such as Queen for a Day, The George Gobel Show, and The Milton Berle Show before he got the part of Dennis Mitchell in CBS's Dennis the Menace. The show lasted from 1959 to 1963, making him a child actor star.
After the show was canceled, North opened up and claimed his aunt verbally and physically abused him on set. Allegedly, the abuse came whenever Jay North got a line wrong.
During his teen years, North continued to star in TV series and movies such as Zebra in the Kitchen, Maya. He even started voice acting in productions such as Arabian Knights and Fred Flintstone and Friends. In his later years, he would make cameos in a 1999 episode of The Simpsons and 2003's Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star. The former was his last feature film before he died.
