Jay North, best known for his role as Dennis Mitchell in the original 1959 TV series Dennis the Menace, passed away on Sunday at the age of 73 following a battle with cancer, according to a social media post from his longtime friend Laurie Jacobson.

“Jeanne Russell just called us with terribly sad, but not unexpected news.  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.  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.”

Jay Waverly North Jr. (August 3, 1951 – April 6, 2025) was an American actor best known for his portrayal of Dennis Mitchell in the CBS sitcom Dennis the Menace (1959–1963). Born in Hollywood, California, North began his acting career at the age of six, appearing in various television series and variety shows. His breakthrough came when he was cast as the mischievous yet well-meaning Dennis, a role that made him a household name during the early 1960s.

Dennis the Menace, inspired by Hank Ketcham’s beloved comic strip, aired for 146 episodes over the course of four seasons. The series centered around Jay North’s portrayal of Dennis Mitchell, a spirited and mischievous young boy whose well-meaning antics constantly disrupted the life of his grumpy neighbor, Mr. George Wilson, played by Joseph Kearns. The cast also featured Herbert Anderson and Gloria Henry as Dennis’s parents, Billy Booth as his best friend Tommy, Sylvia Field as Mrs. Wilson, and Gale Gordon, who joined the series later on as Mr. Wilson’s brother.

Following the conclusion of Dennis the Menace, North faced challenges with typecasting but continued to work in the entertainment industry. He starred in films such as Zebra in the Kitchen (1965) and Maya (1966), the latter of which was adapted into an NBC television series in which he also starred. In addition to live-action roles, North ventured into voice acting, providing voices for animated series including the Arabian Knights segment of The Banana Splits Adventure Hour and The Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm Show.

In his adult years, North stepped away from acting and enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1977. After his military service, he became involved with A Minor Consideration, an organization founded by former child actor Paul Petersen, dedicated to supporting child stars transitioning out of the entertainment industry. North used his experiences to counsel others facing similar challenges.