Jack Wild
Born: 1952-09-30 in Royton, near Oldham, England, UK
Died: 2006-03-01
Known For: Acting
Biography
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.
Filmography
2005
- Moussaka & Chips as Durgen Fleece
2000
- Lock, Stock... as Bill
1998
- Basil as Peddler
1991
- Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves as Much
1982
- Alice as Mock Turtle
1976
- Our Mutual Friend as Charles 'Charley' Hexam
- The Government Inspector as Osip
- Keep It Up Downstairs as Peregrine Cockshute
1973
- The 14 as Reg
- The Big Screen as Self
- The World of Sid & Marty Krofft at the Hollywood Bowl as Himself
1972
- The Pied Piper as Gavin
1971
- The Onedin Line as Peter Thompson
- Melody as Ornshaw
- Flight of the Doves as Finn Dove
1970
- Pufnstuf as Jimmy
- Get It Together
1969
- H.R. Pufnstuf as Jimmy
- First Confession as Jackie
1968
- Oliver! as The Artful Dodger
1967
- Sir Arthur Conan Doyle as Jacky Finch
1966
- A Game, Like, Only a Game as Peter
- Danny the Dragon
- Dragon Hunt as Gavin
- Danny Gets Jet-Propelled as Gavin
- The Tent with Four Legs as Gavin
- Potter in Pursuit as Gavin
- The Invisible Space Bubble as Gavin
- Dannicaforilithermidor as Gavin
- The Runaway Bubble as Gavin
- Dragon Trail as Gavin
- In Search of Zoomite as Gavin
- Stranger from Dragonara as Gavin
1965
- Out of the Unknown as Danny
- Come Buttercup, Come Daisy, Come......? as Danny
1964
- Theatre 625 as Donny Simmonds
1962
1961
- The Mike Douglas Show as Self
1956
- Armchair Theatre as Schoolboy