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Sad news out of the TV world today as the star in an early hit -sitcom is dead.
From 1959 to 1963 Jay North played the title role at CBS ‘ Dennis The Menace.
This week, the beloved actor died at the age of 73.
Jay North’s passing away, the cause of death confirmed by long -time friend
News about North’s death comes to us with the permission of his producer and author Laurie Jacobson, who shared the sad news via Facebook.
“[North’s Dennis the Menace costar] Jeanne Russell just called us with terribly sad but not unexpected news, “Jacobson wrote.” Our dear friend Jay North has been fighting for cancer for a number of years, and this morning at noon EST passed Jay peacefully at home. “
“Like many of his fans know, he had a difficult journey in Hollywood and after … but he didn’t let it define his life. He had a heart as big as a mountain, loved her friends deeply,” she continued, adding:
“He often called us and ended every conversation with ‘I love you with all my heart.’ And we loved him with all ours.
A tragic but familiar story
Jacobson’s “difficult travel” comment probably referred to the abuse, North suffered in the hands of his aunt, who was also his studio guard.
In an interview from 1991, North revealed that his aunt “would beat me, physically abuse me.”
“I used to wake up every single morning and thought,” my God, shall I spend another day with this woman? “He said.
“Because I wanted to go in and make a scene, I would get out of the set and everyone said, ‘Hi, you did a good job.’ And then I got a clap over the face or brought into the dressing room and get a spanking or verbal tongue lashing or whatever.
Despite the pain he endured in the early days of his career, North continued to act well into adult age.
His last role came in David Spade -Comedy in 2003 Dickie Betts: Former Child Star.
“I get a very hot feeling that I still have fans from all over the world,” North noted to fans on a fan convention in 2017, according to Washington Times. Fans who remember and have warm memories of our show. It makes me feel good that people still love us and remember us. “
North is survived by his wife, Cindy Hackney.
Our thoughts go out to his loved ones in this enormous difficult time.