Jay North, best known for his role as “Dennis the Menace” on the popular 1960s sitcom, died Sunday, Fox News Digital confirmed. He was 73.
North died at home in Lake Butler, Florida, after years of battling colon cancer, according to a social media post shared by his longtime friends, “Lassie” actor Jon Provost and wife Laurie Jacobson.
The child actor rose to prominence for his portrayal of Dennis Mitchell, an occasionally misbehaving youngster 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 dear friend Jay North had been fighting cancer for several years, and he died peacefully at home this morning at noon EST.
“As many of his fans know, he had a difficult time in Hollywood and afterwards… but he did not let it define him. He had a huge heart and a deep love for his friends. He called us frequently and always ended the conversation with, “I love you with all my heart.” And we loved him with all our hearts.”
She continued, “A lifelong friend of Jon’s, a brother to Jeanne, and a dear friend to me, we will all miss him terribly. He is now pain-free. His suffering is over. Finally, he is at peace.
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 have known Jay for nearly 70 years; now you can rest in peace, Jay.
“It was not as easy for you as it was for some of us; it was not a walk in the park, but you suffered far more than most. Jay, you were a great guy, and I miss you so much, but I know you are at peace now.
North based his character on Hank Ketcham’s “Dennis the Menace” comic strip.
The show ran for four seasons, beginning in October 1959, and was canceled in 1963 after more than 140 episodes.
North was also known for his voice work, having performed characters in “Here Comes the Grump,” “Arabian Knights,” “The Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm Show,” and “The Simpsons.”
His last appearance on screen was in the 2003 comedy “Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star,” co-starring David Spade.
Decades after his success, North admitted he was abused as a child 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 great job.’ And then I would get slapped across the face, or taken into the dressing room and spanked or verbally abused, or whatever,” North told Katie Couric in 1991.
“She would physically grab my hair and shake me… Just made life a living hell for four years. “My uncle was also very abusive.”
North is survived by his wife, Cindy Hackney.
