Jay North, TV’s mischievous Dennis the Menace, dies at 73
Apr 6, 2025, 6:51 PM | Updated: Apr 7, 2025, 2:36 pm
FILE - Actor Jay North, in character as Dennis the Menace, shows his ever-present slingshot to show co-star Gale Gordon, on set in Hollywood, March 29, 1962. (AP Photo/David F. Smith, File)
Credit: ASSOCIATED PRESS
(AP Photo/David F. Smith, File)
LAKE BUTLER, Fla. (AP) 鈥� Jay North, who starred as the towheaded mischief maker on TV’s 鈥淒ennis the Menace鈥� for four seasons starting in 1959, has died. He was 73.
North died Sunday at his home in Lake Butler, Florida, after battling colon cancer, said Laurie Jacobson, a longtime friend, and Bonnie Vent, who was his booking agent.
鈥淗e had a heart as big as a mountain, loved his friends deeply. He called us frequently and ended every conversation with 鈥業 love you with all my heart,鈥欌�� Jacobson wrote in a tribute on Facebook.
North was 6 when he was cast as the smiling troublemaker in the CBS sitcom adaptation of Hank Ketcham’s popular comic strip that took place in an idyllic American suburb.
Often wearing a striped shirt and overalls, Dennis’ mischievous antics frequently frustrated his retired next-door neighbor George Wilson, played by Joseph Kearns. Dennis’ patient parents were played by Herbert Anderson and Gloria Henry.
The show ran on Sunday nights until it was canceled in 1963. After that it was a fixture for decades in syndication.
Later, North appeared on TV in shows including 鈥淭he Man from U.N.C.L.E.,鈥� 鈥淭he Lucy Show,鈥� 鈥淢y Three Sons,鈥� 鈥淟assie鈥� and 鈥淭he Simpsons,鈥� and in movies like 鈥淢aya鈥� (1966), 鈥淭he Teacher鈥� (1974) and 鈥淒ickie Robert: Former Child Star鈥� (2003).
North is survived by his third wife, Cindy, and three stepdaughters.
