Jay North

Jay North, a former child actor best known for his nearly 150 episodes as the title character on the 1960s sitcom "Dennis the Menace," died April 6, 2025, of colon cancer at the age of 73 in Lake Butler, Florida.

Growing up raised by a single mother, North got work as a child actor and model with his mother's help, earning appearances on shows like "77 Sunset Strip" and "The Milton Berle Show." In 1959, he won the role that would change his life: the titular character on "Dennis the Menace," a show adapting the popular comic strip of the same name. The show was a hit, making the then-8-year-old actor a television star and kicking off a run that lasted four seasons and 146 episodes. He had become a pop culture favorite of the period, with audiences enjoying seeing Dennis get in, and out, of trouble. As North aged out of the role, the show stalled in its fourth season, made worse by the death of actor Joseph Kearns, who played Dennis' adversary, Mr. Wilson.

North kept acting after the show ended in 1963, moving into voice acting in the late 1960s for shows like "The Banana Splits Adventure Hour" and "Here Comes the Grump." He starred in the 1960s adventure movie and spin-off TV show "Maya," then received praise for his starring role in the 1974 film, "The Teacher," but he found it hard to escape his past as Dennis and had few roles after the 1970s.

"Many child actors had to deal with the work grind of a television series and Jay was no exception." fan Bill Kelly said on Facebook. "...While he did have some roles in films and other television shows including doing voice acting he was by far known for his role as Dennis the Menace. Jay brought the comic strip to life. Thanks for all the entertainment you brought to me as a youngster."

(Image: Everett Collection)