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Jay North dead at 73: The Dennis the Menace star's 'terribly sad' friends reveal cause of death
UK Daily Mail ^ | 04/06/2025 | Cassie Carpenter

Posted on 04/06/2025 2:34:06 PM PDT by DFG

Former child star Jay North passed away, at age 73, peacefully at his Lake Butler, FL home on Sunday at noon following a long battle with colorectal cancer.

The Hollywood native is best known for playing the titular role in CBS sitcom Dennis the Menace, based on the Hank Ketcham comic strip, which ran for four seasons spanning 1959-1963.

'Jeanne Russell just called us with terribly sad, but not unexpected news,' Jay's friend Laurie Jacobson announced on Facebook.

'As many of his fans know, he had a difficult journey in Hollywood and after...but he did not let it define his life. He had a heart as big as a mountain, loved his friends deeply. He called us frequently and ended every conversation with "I love you with all my heart."

'And we loved him with all of ours. A life-long friend of Jon's, a brother to Jeanne and a dear friend to me, we will miss him terribly. He is out of pain now. His suffering is over. At last he is at peace.'

Laurie's husband - Lassie alum Jon Provost - added on his own Facebook account: 'I've known Jay for almost 70 years, now you can rest in peace Jay. It wasn't as easy for you as it was for some of us, not that it was a piece of cake that's for sure, but you did suffer a lot more than most. You were a great guy Jay and I miss you with all my heart, but I know you're at peace now.'

According to TMZ, North's health deteriorated over the past month and when he died he was surrounded by his wife Cindy and his beloved stepdaughters, who 'gave him a family he never had' since he was an only child who never knew his father.

(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...


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KEYWORDS: hollywood; jaynorth
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1 posted on 04/06/2025 2:34:06 PM PDT by DFG
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To: DFG

He’s up there with Mr Wilson 1 &2


2 posted on 04/06/2025 2:36:44 PM PDT by Vaquero (Don't pick a fight with an old guy. If he is too old to fight, he'll just kill you. )
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To: DFG

WHO CARES!


3 posted on 04/06/2025 2:39:45 PM PDT by philman_36 (Pride breakfasted with plenty, dined with poverty and supped with infamy. Benjamin Franklin)
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To: philman_36

Jeez. Who peed in your cornflakes today?


4 posted on 04/06/2025 2:46:28 PM PDT by Jamestown1630 ("A Republic, if you can keep it.")
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To: DFG

Condolences to family and friends of Jay North.


5 posted on 04/06/2025 2:49:50 PM PDT by PGalt (Past Peak Civilization?)
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To: DFG

child stars can go off the rails

glad he had a nice life


6 posted on 04/06/2025 2:50:18 PM PDT by joshua c
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To: DFG

He was allegedly physically and sexually abused by his aunt and uncle, coloring his life very negatively and warping his attempts at normal relationships with his own family.


7 posted on 04/06/2025 2:51:05 PM PDT by desertsolitaire (China )
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To: DFG

Rest In Peace, Jay North.


8 posted on 04/06/2025 2:51:31 PM PDT by No name given ( Anonymous is who you’ll know me as)
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To: philman_36

He was a freeper


9 posted on 04/06/2025 2:52:31 PM PDT by Borges
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To: DFG

RIP Jay. Thanks for the memories


10 posted on 04/06/2025 2:52:34 PM PDT by xp38
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To: No name given

What was his handle?


11 posted on 04/06/2025 2:53:12 PM PDT by crusty old prospector
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To: philman_36

He is someone that most of us remember from our childhood and reading his bio, he seemed to be a pretty decent guy as far as Hollywood types go. When was the last time you watched a decent family oriented comedy TV show? Last Man Standing is about the only more recent one I can think of that might be worth watching.


12 posted on 04/06/2025 2:55:54 PM PDT by smokingfrog ( sleep with one eye open (<o> --- )
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To: Borges

What was his FR name?


13 posted on 04/06/2025 2:57:38 PM PDT by Jane Long (Jesus is Lord!)
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To: DFG
I knew "Dennis the Menace" from the funnies before the TV show started (I remember reading about how someone had been chosen to play the part of Dennis). Only saw the TV show a few times at most--the Mr. Wilson character didn't seem at all like the grouchy neighbor in the comic strip.

The problem with child actors is that after a few years they are too old to play the part. I knew nothing about Jay North's personal life.

The other Dennis the Menace, the one-time Presidential candidate, is alive and well as far as I know.

14 posted on 04/06/2025 2:57:49 PM PDT by Verginius Rufus
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To: Borges

Is this him?

https://freerepublic.com/~jaynorth/

RIP Jay/Dennis


15 posted on 04/06/2025 2:58:43 PM PDT by Jane Long (Jesus is Lord!)
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To: Jane Long

I believe so


16 posted on 04/06/2025 2:59:28 PM PDT by Borges
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To: philman_36

“WHO CARES!”

I for one do you dick.


17 posted on 04/06/2025 3:01:00 PM PDT by ClaytonForester
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To: Jane Long

Jay’s IMDb page...

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0636020/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_0_nm_8_in_0_q_Jay%2520North


18 posted on 04/06/2025 3:01:54 PM PDT by newfreep ("There is no race problem...just a problem race")
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To: DFG

I sometimes catch the show in the morning. After not having watched it in decades, I was surprised at how well it has stood up, but it had solid writing and a great cast, and Jay North was perfect as Dennis. It’s a shame that much of his life was not happy.

RIP.


19 posted on 04/06/2025 3:03:55 PM PDT by Southside_Chicago_Republican (God save the United States!)
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To: Borges

I’m not sure.

Jay North has lived in Florida since 1993, and apparently died there.


20 posted on 04/06/2025 3:04:09 PM PDT by Jamestown1630 ("A Republic, if you can keep it.")
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