Jack Wild

Known for ActingBorn 1952-09-30Died 2006-03-01Royton, near Oldham, England, UK

Born September 30, 1952, in Royton, near Oldham, England, Jack Wild was discovered by talent agent June Collins, mother of rock star Phil Collins. His breakthrough came when he landed the role of Oliver in the London stage production of "Oliver!" When it came to casting the film, the role of the Artful Dodger went to Jack, a role that resulted in his getting an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Fresh from this success, Jack was offered the lead role in the American television series "H.R. Pufnstuf" (1969). This Sid Krofft and Marty Krofft production featured Wild as a boy marooned in an enchanted land with puppets and actors in elaborate costumes. The success of this program led to Wild reprising the role for the film version, Pufnstuf (1970). Other roles followed, including Melody (1971) and Flight of the Doves (1971). Around the same time, Wild released three albums ("The Jack Wild Album"; "Everything's Coming up Roses", featuring along with cover numbers a couple of new songs written by up-and-coming songwriter Lynsey De Paul; and "Beautiful World"). By 1972, however, he was already being demoted to the role of supporting actor for The Pied Piper (1972). He also appeared in "Our Mutual Friend" (1976). He returned to films in two small roles: the miller's son in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991) and a peddler in Basil (1998). Wild underwent surgery for oral cancer in July 2004, and had some vocal cords and part of his tongue removed. Unfortunately, the cancer proved untreatable and he died on 1 March 2006.Read more

Movies & web series

Danny the Dragon

Come Buttercup, Come Daisy, Come......?

E! True Hollywood Story

Moussaka & Chips

The World of Sid & Marty Krofft at the Hollywood Bowl

The Liberace Show

Z-Cars

Theatre 625

Melody

Out of the Unknown

Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves

Our Mutual Friend

The Onedin Line

H.R. Pufnstuf

Oliver!

A Game, Like, Only a Game

Lock, Stock...

Alice

Pufnstuf

The Pied Piper

Flight of the Doves

The 14

Armchair Theatre

Basil

The Mike Douglas Show

Keep It Up Downstairs

The Government Inspector

The Big Screen

Get It Together

First Confession

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Potter in Pursuit

Dragon Trail

The Tent with Four Legs

Danny Gets Jet-Propelled

Dragon Hunt

Stranger from Dragonara

The Invisible Space Bubble

The Runaway Bubble

Dannicaforilithermidor

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