Jay North, the beloved actor who captured America’s heart as the mischievous little boy in Dennis the Menace, has passed away at the age of 73.

Known for his signature blond cowlick and playful grin, North portrayed the spirited Dennis Mitchell on the hit CBS sitcom inspired by Hank Ketcham’s comic strip. He died peacefully at home in Lake Butler, Florida, on April 6 after a long battle with colon cancer. Born on August 3, 1951, in Hollywood, California, Jay North began his acting career at a young age and quickly gained popularity with his natural comedic timing and charm. His big break came in 1959 when, at just six years old, he landed the lead role in Dennis the Menace.

The show ran until 1963 and became a staple in American households, remembered fondly for its innocence, humor, and warmth. For many fans, Jay North as Dennis became a symbol of childhood joy, with reruns playing in homes across the country for generations. Yet behind the scenes, North’s journey was far from idyllic. After the show ended, he struggled to find roles that allowed him to move beyond the Dennis character. Feeling typecast and limited by the industry, he eventually stepped away from Hollywood.

In a 2017 interview, North spoke about his path after acting, which included time in the Navy, work in the health food sector, and ultimately a career as a corrections officer in Florida. Despite his departure from show business, many inmates at the facility where he worked recognized him as the famous troublemaker from television.

He said many of them had grown up watching the show, some seeing it during its original run and others through reruns. Laurie Jacobson, a longtime friend and co-star, shared the news of his passing on Facebook, writing that while Jay faced immense challenges during his life and career, he didn’t let them define him. She emphasized that he died peacefully and had long since found a sense of purpose and peace away from the spotlight. North later became involved with A Minor Consideration, a nonprofit founded by fellow former child actor Paul Petersen. Using his own painful experiences, he worked to support and mentor young performers navigating the entertainment industry. Those experiences were deeply personal. In 1991, North opened up publicly about the emotional and physical abuse he endured during his time on Dennis the Menace, particularly from his aunt, who served as his guardian on set. In an interview with Katie Couric, he detailed the traumatic treatment he received if his performance failed to meet her strict standards, including verbal abuse, hair-yanking, and even slaps or spankings. These painful memories haunted him so much that he never watched a full episode of the show. When the 1993 film adaptation of Dennis the Menace was released, renewed public interest in the original series prompted North to speak out again about the hidden suffering he endured as a child star. Though fame brought him pain, he credited his mother for securing his earnings in a trust fund and making wise real estate investments that provided financial security later in life. In a candid 1993 interview with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, North admitted he didn’t believe the show was great television, but acknowledged that it brought joy to many viewers over the years, something he was ultimately proud of. In addition to his iconic TV role, North lent his voice to several animated shows, including Here Comes the Grump, Arabian Knights, The Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm Show, and even The Simpsons. His final acting appearance was in the 2003 film Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star, starring David Spade. North is survived by his wife, Cindy Hackney, whom he met in 1992 at a gathering following a pediatric AIDS charity event in Gainesville, Florida. The couple married on March 3, 1993, and later moved to Hackney’s hometown of Lake Butler. North became a stepfather to her three daughters, embracing family life away from Hollywood’s pressures. Jon Provost, best known for his role in Lassie, and a lifelong friend of Jay’s, paid tribute to him online, expressing sorrow but also peace knowing Jay was no longer suffering. Though Jay North will forever be remembered as the cheerful face of Dennis the Menace, his real legacy lies in the strength he showed off-screen—transforming pain into advocacy and using his experience to make life better for others.