SAD NEWS: 30 minutes ago in Texas, Jay North’s wife couldn’t hold back her tears and shared, “Last night he still held me to sleep, but today he had to… see more

Actor and former child star Jay North, best known for his starring role on the family sitcom “Dennis the Menace,” has died. He was 73.

North’s friend, writer and producer Laurie Jacobson, revealed in a Facebook post that the actor died “peacefully at home” Sunday afternoon following a battle with cancer. Jacobson later confirmed to USA TODAY that North’s family notified her and her husband, actor Jon Provost, of North’s death.

“As many of his fans know, he had a difficult journey in Hollywood and after…but he did not let it define his life,” Jacobson wrote on Facebook. “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.”

North’s “Dennis the Menace” co-star Jeannie Russell told The Hollywood Reporter that North died at his Lake Butler, Florida, residence and that he suffered from colon cancer.

Born in Hollywood in August 1951, North got his start in television at the age of 6 when his mother Dorothy née Cotton, who worked as a secretary at the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, arranged for him to appear on his favorite show, the local children’s series “Cartoon Express.” Talent agent Hazel MacMillan spotted North and offered to represent him.

Need a break?

Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.

Working simultaneously as a child model and actor, North scored small roles on several NBC variety shows during the 1950s, such as “The George Gobel Show,” “The Eddie Fisher Show” and “The Milton Berle Show.” North’s big break came in the summer of 1958 when Screen Gems held a nationwide casting call for a TV adaptation of cartoonist Hank Ketcham’s comic strip “Dennis the Menace.”

Although North’s first audition didn’t go well, a second tryout helped the burgeoning actor land the role of Dennis Mitchell in 1959. Ahead of production on the show’s debut season, North appeared in several series and feature films, including “Wanted: Dead or Alive,” “77 Sunset Strip,” “Rescue 8,” “The Miracle of the Hills” and “The Big Operator.”

Michael Hurley dies: Singer known as ‘Godfather of freak folk’ was 83

“Dennis the Menace” premiered on CBS in October 1959 and ran for four seasons. Despite the show’s success, North later revealed the emotional turbulence that colored his on-set experience.

In a 1993 interview with the Los Angeles Daily News, North said his aunt Marie Hopper — who served as his guardian when his mother was working — was physically and emotionally abusive.

“If it took me more than one or two takes, I would be threatened and then whacked,” North told the outlet. “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. I couldn’t even eat lunch with everybody else. She made me eat it in the dressing room by myself.”

Following the cancellation of “Dennis the Menace” in 1963, North took to the silver screen with starring roles in the comedies “Zebra in the Kitchen” (1965) and “Maya” (1966). North returned to TV for a short-lived adaptation of “Maya,” which ran for 18 episodes from 1967 to 1968.

Val Kilmer dies: ‘Top Gun’ and ‘Batman Forever’ star was 65

North turned to voiceover work in the late ’60s and early ’70s, appearing in animated series such as “Arabian Knights,” “Here Comes the Grump” and “The Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm Show.”

North’s final role was a self-referential appearance in 2003’s “Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star,” a child stardom spoof starring David Spade and Alyssa Milano.

Related Posts

BCC reported urgent news: 15 minutes ago! In New York, at the age of 55, the family of American music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs just announced urgent news to fans that he is currently… See more

Iп a sυrprisiпg aппoυпcemeпt made jυst 15 miпυtes ago, the family of esteemed mυsic magпate Sea “Diddy” Combs has revealed to the press that he is cυrreпtly faciпg a serioυs…

Read more

BBC NEWS: 30 minutes ago! Billionaire Elon Musk and the US President have had a heated clash and war of words after Elon Musk AND the First Lady…. see more

LATEST: Elon Musk and the U.S. President in Heated Clash After Controversial Encounter With First Lady In a shocking development that has stunned both political insiders and Silicon Valley observers,…

Read more

LATEST NEWS: 1 Hour ago, King Charles III, Queen Camilla and their grieving families have confirmed that Prince William’s wife, the Duchess – Kate Middleton, has … more

Kate Middletoп, the Priпcess of Wales, is kпowп for her poise aпd grace eveп iп the face of adversity. Receпtly, she completed a coυrse of preveпtative chemotherapy followiпg a caпcer…

Read more

BBC News reports: 40 minutes ago! Prince Andrew has sparked media fury after being found unconscious in a private room at his home in Texas after King Charles ordered … more

Thank you for reading this post, don’t forget to subscribe! Thank you for reading this post, don’t forget to subscribe! KING CHARLES FURIOUS OVER CHINESE SPY SCANDAL INVOLVING PRINCE ANDREW:…

Read more

BBC News reports: 30 minutes ago! President Trump issues shocking warning about deporting Billionaire Elon Musk from the US after Tesla’s tax breaks were removed… more

In a jaw-dropping twist that has the nation buzzing, former President Donald Trump has fired a cryptic yet chilling warning at tech titan Elon Musk, escalating their high-stakes feud to…

Read more

SAD NEWS: 30 minutes ago in Texas, USA, at the age of 53, Elon Musk’s family just announced urgent news to his followers that he is currently…-mina

In a shocking turn of events, just 30 minutes ago, Elon Musk’s family released an urgent statement to his followers, revealing that the tech billionaire is currently facing a serious…

Read more

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *