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.”
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 (pictured in 2013)
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
‘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 three beloved stepdaughters, who ‘gave him a family he never had’ since he was an only child who never knew his father.
The correctional officer was ‘thrilled’ to have received hundreds of letters from fans, which Jacobson compiled and gave him on Christmas.
Jay began his career at age six appearing in TV shows like Queen for a Day, The Milton Berle Show, 77 Sunset Strip, and Sugarfoot as well as films like The Miracle of the Hills and The Big Operator.
By 1960, Dennis the Menace launched North into superstardom as a certified pop culture icon and he earned up to $3,500 ($37K equivalent today) per episode.
Jay’s friend Laurie Jacobson announced on Facebook: ‘Jeanne Russell just called us with terribly sad, but not unexpected news’
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 (R) and his three beloved stepdaughters, who ‘gave him a family he never had’ since he was an only child who never knew his father
The correctional officer (pictured in 1999) was ‘thrilled’ to have received hundreds of letters from fans, which Jacobson compiled and gave him on Christmas
