Jay North, best remembered for his role as “Dennis the Menace” on the popular 1960s comedy, died Sunday, Fox News Digital reported. He was 73.
North died at home in Lake Butler, Florida, after years of battling colon cancer, according to a social media post posted by his lifelong pals, “Lassie” actor Jon Provost and wife Laurie Jacobson.
The child actor rose to prominence for his portrayal of Dennis Mitchell, an occasionally misbehaving boy who was known to bother his neighbor, George Wilson.
“Jeanne Russell just called us with terribly sad, but not unexpected, news,” Jacobson wrote online. “Our beloved buddy Jay North had been fighting cancer for several years, and he died quietly at home this morning at 12:00 EST.
“As many of his followers know, he had a rough time in Hollywood and afterwards… but he did not let that define him. He had a huge heart and a strong love for his buddies. He contacted us frequently and always ended the discussion with, “I love you with all my heart.” And we adored him with all our hearts.”
Provost wrote with “a heavy heart” that his friend of nearly 70 years died on Sunday, April 6.
“We just lost another original and dear friend, Jay ‘Dennis the Menace’ North,” the provost told me. “Jay died today at 12:00 EST. I’ve known Jay for nearly 70 years; now you can rest in peace, Jay.
“It wasn’t as simple for you as it was for some of us; it wasn’t a walk in the park, but you suffered far more than others. Jay, you were a great guy, and I miss you so much, but I know you’re at peace now.
North modeled his character on Hank Ketcham’s “Dennis the Menace” comic strip.
The show ran for four seasons, commencing in October 1959, and was canceled in 1963 after more than 140 episodes.
Decades after his success, North acknowledged he was abused as a kid actor, claiming that his aunt would physically assault him on set.
“Every morning, I would wake up thinking, ‘My God, do I have to spend another day with this woman?'” Because when I would go in and do a scene, everyone would say, ‘Hey, you did a terrific job.’ And then I’d get slapped across the face, or brought into the dressing room and spanked or verbally abused, or anything,” North told Katie Couric in 1991.
“She would physically grab my hair and shake me… Just made life a horrible misery for four years. “My uncle was also very abusive.”
North is survived by his wife, Cindy Hackney.
