Jay North, actor known for Dennis the Menace role in the original TV series, Dead at 73

Jay North began his career as a child actor began in the late 1950s with roles in eight TV series, two variety shows, and three feature films. At age 7, he became a household name for his role as the good-natured but mischievous Dennis Mitchell on the CBS situation comedy Dennis the Menace (1959–1963), based on the comic strip created by Hank Ketcham.

As a teen, North found roles in two Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer feature films: Zebra in the Kitchen and Maya. He also starred in the NBC television series adaptation of the latter film.

As an adult, he turned to voice acting in animated television, voicing the roles of Prince Turhan in the Arabian Knights segment of The Banana Splits Adventure Hour, and a teenaged Bamm-Bamm Rubble on The Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm Show.

North also has made occasional appearances on talk shows, documentaries, cameo appearances as "himself" on The Simpsons, and in the comedy feature film Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star. He also revealed some of the struggles he faced in his personal and professional life, including a difficult childhood as a child actor, multiple marriages, and a career that faded after the show ended.

After the show ended, North faced difficulty finding other roles as an actor: "Into my teen years, early twenties, the industry pretty much shut its doors on me ... It was what it was," North said in a 2017 interview with the Washington Times.

"It's nice to be remembered for something as wonderful as that little boy", he added.

He was married three times, with his first marriage to Kathleen Brucher ending in divorce in 1974, and his second marriage to Rositia ending in separation after three months

In 1999, he concluded his E! interview by saying, "I am so happy that I was able to have such a positive impact on people's lives. I'm going to write my autobiography and then I'm just going to live a contented, happy life here in Lake Butler with the people I love, and kind of just vanish into the mists of time."

After leaving Hollywood, North joined the military and found work in the health food industry and as a correctional officer. Through the years North also made appearances with some of his "Dennis the Menace" co-stars at meet and greets for fans of the show.

Jay North passed away peacefully at home on April 6, 2025, after battling cancer for several years.