Did Jay North serve in the military? Dennis the Menace star's career explored as he dies at 73

Dennis the Menace alum Jay North has died. His friend, Laurie Jacobson, confirmed the news on Facebook. The former child actor’s co-star and friend, Jeannie Russell, told The Hollywood Reporter that he was at his home in Florida’s Lake Butler when he passed away.

Jay North wasn’t just an actor; he served in the military and explored other career paths. According to TogetherWeServed, the Maya star gave up the acting profession following the lack of jobs and enlisted in the US Navy at 25 in 1977. After joining, he was assigned to the USS Iwo Jima, which was stationed in Norfolk. Jay North had to do a lot of manual labor and left the Navy in 1979.

According to TogetherWeServed, the iconic child actor chose the Navy as he was reportedly promised by the recruiter “a career in law enforcement.” The promise was seemingly untrue, as the US Navy did not have a law enforcement “rating” when Jay North enlisted. After two years of being part of the naval forces, he received an honorable discharge. Before leaving the Navy, North was assigned to the USS Dixie (AD 14), stationed in Long Beach, California.

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More about Jay North’s career over the years

Apart from being an actor and serving in the military, The Miracle of the Hills star worked in the health food industry and later became a prison officer. Jay North told The Washington Times in 2017,

“I was in the military. I worked in the health food industry for a number of years. For the past 20 years, I’ve worked as a correctional officer for the Florida Department of Corrections.”

Decades before moving to Florida and becoming a prison officer, The Big Operator star was a well-known face on TV. Jay North’s career as an actor began in the late ‘50s through commercials and multiple appearances on different variety series. It was Dennis the Menace that got him nationwide popularity.

In the ‘80s, Jay North wasn’t as active in show business as he was in his early career years. By the end of the decade, he became a victim of a death hoax. In 1988, the former child star responded with disappointment to the rumor and told The Post-Star (based in Glenn Falls, New York),

“I might as well be dead. This town, Hollywood, won’t give me a job. Some kook called the wire services and spread a malicious rumor that I had died in a doctor’s office. I’m really perplexed.”

His last known acting credits are cameos in The Simpsons (in 1999) and the 2003 comedy film Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star.

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Jay North passed away at 73 following a long-term battle with cancer

The Donna Reed Show actor had been battling colon cancer for years when he passed away on April 6, 2025. Laurie Jacobson announced the news via a Facebook post, writing,

“Jeanne Russell just called us with terribly sad, but not unexpected news. 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.”

Reflecting upon Jay’s challenging journey as an actor, Laurie proclaimed that her friend “did not let it define his life.” She added,

“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.”

Laurie mentioned her husband, Jon Provost, and Jeannie Russell to conclude,

“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.”

Born in LA, California, in 1951, Jay was 73 at the time of his passing. North had married thrice and was living with his third wife, Cindy Hackney, in Florida. He was previously married to Kathleen Brucher and Rositia North.