The Tragic Death of Former Child Star Jack Wild ('Oliver!' and 'H.R. Puffnstuff"): 18 Years Later

Photo byPinterest.com

Actor Jack Wild, who died tragically at only 53 from cancer in 2006, received an Academy Award nomination for his teen role as the Artful Dodger in the 1968 movie musical Oliver! One year later, Wild was cast in what became the second of his most famous roles: that of Jimmy in the classic ABC's Saturday morning live show, H.R. Pufnstuff, which aired in the early 1970s - and was produced by Sid and Marty Kroft.

A Closer Look

Born in Royton, northwest England, in 1952, Jack Wild was noticed by a talent agent while playing soccer in a London park and later attended theatrical school.

Wild had performed in a London live stage production of Oliver!, starring Mark Lester, which was Lionel Bart’s adaptation of the Charles Dickens literary classic Oliver Twist.

Wild then appeared in the movie version of Oliver!, which was in rehearsals and filmed throughout 1967. It was shortly after the film's September 1968 release that Wild began receiving significant attention. First came a record deal with Capitol, and then producers Sid and Marty Kroft offered him the role of Jimmy in H.R. Pufnstuf, which began shooting in May 1969.

In the early 1970s, Wild began making more big-screen movies including Melody, which reunited him with Lester, and Flight of the Doves, which provided him with yet another Oliver! reunion, this time with Ron Moody, who, like Lester, had appeared in that film.

Around that time, Wild also appeared in The Pied Piper, with popular singer-songwriter Donovan.

In 1973, Wild appeared in more modern dramatic contemporary dramas such as David Hemmings’ award-winning The 14. Other diverse performances followed as in the 1976 BBC Dickens serial Our Mutual Friend and Everyday Maths, a sitcom geared toward schools which partnered Wild with comedic performer Arthur English.

Conclusion

For American children and teens in the 1970s, however, Jack Wild will always be fondly remembered for Oliver! and H.R. Puffnstuff.