‘Dennis the Menace’ Star Jay North Dies: Actor Was 73 & Battling Cancer

Former child star Jay North, who was best known for his role as the titular character in Dennis the Menace, has died at the age of 73 after battling colorectal cancer. Laurie Jacobson, whose husband is Jon Provost, confirmed the news via Facebook after learning of North’s passing from his Dennis the Menace costar Jeanne Russell.

“Jeanne Russell just called us with terribly sad, but not unexpected news,” Jacobson shared on Sunday, April 6. “Our dear friend JAY NORTH has been fighting cancer for a number of years and this morning at noon EST, Jay passed peacefully at home. 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.”