Jay North, TV's original 'Dennis the Menace,' dies at 73

Jay North, known for defining the image of a postwar American child as a trouble magnet on television's "Dennis the Menace," died Sunday.

Jay North, known for defining the image of a postwar American child as a trouble magnet on television's "Dennis the Menace," died Sunday. He was 73.

Laurie Jacobson, a longtime friend and fellow actor on the original television show, announced his death on Facebook, saying North died peacefully at home Sunday morning after a yearslong battle with cancer.

Friend and representative Bonnie Vent confirmed his death in an email. Authorities where North lived in Union County, Florida, including the local medical examiner, did not respond to requests for information Sunday.

North started playing the main character on "Dennis the Menace" at age 6 in 1959. The show's title character, often clad in overalls, clashed with a neighbor and kept his patient parents busy managing fallout from his shenanigans.

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.David F. Smith / AP fileJacobson said North eventually got over Hollywood.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/obituaries/jay-north-tv-original-dennis-menace-dies-73-rcna199942

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