Jay North, the former child star who became a household name in the 1950s, has died at age 73. North is best known for portraying Dennis Mitchell in the 1959 sitcomDennis the Menace.His co-star, Jeannie Russell, who played Margaret Wade, confirmed the news of his passing to The Hollywood Reporter. The former actor died in Lake Butler, Florida, on June 14, 2025, following a battle with colon cancer. According to TV Line, North’s character, Dennis, might’ve had heart eyes for Russell’s character, Margaret, but off-screen, to Russell, he was her “otherwordly brother.” His last on-screen appearance camein a 2003 productioncalledDickie Roberts: Former Child Star, as himself.
North got the role of Dennis Mitchell after auditioning during CBS’s nationwide search for the perfect boy to play the part. He was only six years old and initially didn’t impress the studio. His agent pressed for a second audition, and North was invited to do a screen test with future co-stars Herbert Anderson, Gloria Henry, and Joseph Kearns. Althoughthe show premiered in 1959, a pilot, “Dennis Goes to the Movies,” was filmed in 1958 because CBS quickly had to regain its audience after droppingLeave It to Beaverfollowing one season. ABC picked up the dropped series and saw massive success.
Dennis the Menace: Where the Cast is Today
Dennis the Menace featured a wide range of cast members who hold a special place in the hearts of fans, even today. Here’s where they are now.
WhenDennis the Menacepremiered on CBS on August 13, 2025, Jay North joined Jerry Mathers (Leave It to Beaver) as the energetic, trouble-prone boys on television.The comedic seriesfollows the Mitchell family: Henry, Alice, and their only child, Dennis. It was inspired by Hank Ketcham’s comic strip of the same name. Dennis often got in trouble, which is why he’s referred to as a menace, but the young child was just a well-meaning boy. He always got in the way of his neighbor, Mr. George Wilson (Joseph Kearns), a retired salesman. In every episode, viewers see Dennis attempt to solve a problem, but somehow it worsens. The role made Jay North a vital part of Baby Boomers' childhoods and other generations, but it’s not his only memorable role.
Jay North Was Known for Being Gentle and Kind
Aside fromDennis the Menace, North lit up the screen inWestern classics such asWanted: Dead or Alive(starring Steve McQueen),Colt. 45,Cheyenne,Sugarfoot,Bronco, and more. When he wasn’t gracing the small screen, North popped up on the big screen in films likeThe Miracle of the Hills,The Big Operator,Zebra in the Kitchen,Maya,The Teacher, and more.
Garnering success as a childcan have mixed results for the actor involved. Thankfully, rather than becoming arrogant or befalling personal tragedy, Jay North was known for being a gentle and polite sweetheart on the set ofDennis the Menaceand regularly out in public. One of the best examples of his kind-hearted nature occurred when North was leaving his hotel (heading forThe Ed Sullivan Show) in 1961. According to reports, the young boy was extremely polite to fans. He signed autographs and, after 10 minutes, apologized to fans who didn’t get one as he had to leave. North said, “I’m awfully sorry, sir. I really have to go now. But please write to me, and I’ll surely answer.”
