Jay North, child star best known for his role as Dennis the Menace in the TV show of the same name, has passed away.

North first broke into show business when his mother, who was the secretary to the West Coast director of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA), used her connections to get North an appearance on his favorite TV show, Cartoon Express. He was then noticed by a Hollywood talent agent.

North worked as a child model and an actor in small guest roles or commercials. Then, at age 6, he auditioned for the television adaptation of the comic strip Dennis the Menace. While waiting to hear back, North continued to take guest roles on TV, including the Christmas-themed Wanted: Dead or Alive episode "The Eight-Cent Reward" where a young boy (North) hires a bounty hunter to find Santa Claus.

In 1959, Dennis the Menace premiered with North in the title role and quickly became a hit. North's mother, aware of the perils of childhood stardom, hired a business manager to invest North's earnings. 

However, while North was becoming a household name, things were not so rosy behind the scenes. His aunt, serving as an on-set guardian, kept him busy promoting the show on his time off, giving him very little time for an actual childhood. Further, North was not allowed to eat meals or socialize with other members on the set. The death of Joseph Kearns in season three, who played Mr. Wilson, made North increasingly isolated and withdrawn. North described being relieved when the show's ratings dropped and it was cancelled in 1963.

North tried to stay in show business, but found himself typecast as the impish Dennis. Finally he landed the title role in the 1966 family adventure film Maya, which was adapted into a TV show. While it only lasted one season, North was proud of the series and remembered it fondly as a chance to play an adult role.

As he grew older, North stepped away from Hollywood. However, he returned to the world of show biz to join Paul Peterson's (Jeff Stone on The Donna Reed Show) organization, A Minor Consideration. The organization's goals are to support child stars and other child laborers through legislation, family education, and personal intervention and counseling for those in crisis.

The actor was 73 years old.