Newsweek: 'Dennis the Menace' Star Jay North's Cause of Death Revealed [View all]
Newsweek - 'Dennis the Menace' Star Jay North's Cause of Death Revealed
Published Apr 07, 2025 at 6:46 AM EDT
Megan Cartwright

Jay North, who starred as Dennis Mitchell in the television series Dennis the Menace, has died of cancer at the age of 73.
Laurie Jacobson, North's longtime friend, confirmed the news via social media on Sunday. Per the Associated Press, the actor's specific cause of death was colon cancer.
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"Jeanne Russell just called us with terribly sad, but not unexpected news," Jacobson wrote on Facebook, referring to North's Dennis the Menace costar. "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."
Jacobson's husband, Jon Provost, also shared a tribute to the Maya star.
"I share this news with a heavy, heavy heart. We just lost another original and dear friend, Jay 'Dennis the Menace' North....... Jay passed today at 12:00 EST," he also wrote via Facebook. "I've known Jay for almost 70 years, now you can rest in peace Jay. It wasn't as easy for you as it was for some of us, not that it was a piece of cake that's for sure, but you did suffer a lot more than most. You were a great guy Jay and I miss you with all my heart, but I know you're at peace now.......🙏🙏."
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Cross gently, Jay.