Person
Jack Wild
Royton, 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 la…
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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
Movies and shows, newest first
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2005
Moussaka & Chips
Movie Durgen Fleece
-
2000
Lock, Stock...
TV show Bill
-
1998
Basil
Movie Peddler
-
1996
E! True Hollywood Story
TV show
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1991
Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
Movie Much
-
1982
Alice
Movie Mock Turtle
-
1976
The Government Inspector
TV show Osip
-
1976
Keep It Up Downstairs
Movie Peregrine Cockshute
-
1976
Our Mutual Friend
TV show Charles 'Charley' Hexam
-
1973
The World of Sid & Marty Krofft at the Hollywood Bowl
Movie Himself
-
1973
The 14
Movie Reg
-
1973
The Big Screen
Movie Self
-
1972
The Pied Piper
Movie Gavin
-
1971
The Onedin Line
TV show Peter Thompson
-
1971
Flight of the Doves
Movie Finn Dove
-
1971
Melody
Movie Ornshaw
More credits
-
1970
Pufnstuf
Movie Jimmy
-
1970
Get It Together
TV show
-
1969
H.R. Pufnstuf
TV show Jimmy
-
1969
First Confession
Movie Jackie
-
1968
Oliver!
Movie The Artful Dodger
-
1967
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
TV show Jacky Finch
-
1966
A Game, Like, Only a Game
Movie Peter
-
1966
Danny the Dragon
Movie
-
1966
The Runaway Bubble
Movie Gavin
-
1966
Danny Gets Jet-Propelled
Movie Gavin
-
1966
The Invisible Space Bubble
Movie Gavin
-
1966
The Tent with Four Legs
Movie Gavin
-
1966
Stranger from Dragonara
Movie Gavin
-
1966
Dannicaforilithermidor
Movie Gavin
-
1966
Dragon Hunt
Movie Gavin
-
1966
Potter in Pursuit
Movie Gavin
-
1966
Dragon Trail
Movie Gavin
-
1966
In Search of Zoomite
Movie Gavin
-
1965
Come Buttercup, Come Daisy, Come......?
Movie Danny
-
1965
Thirty-Minute Theatre
TV show Jackie
-
1965
Out of the Unknown
TV show Danny
-
1964
Theatre 625
TV show Donny Simmonds
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1962
Z-Cars
TV show
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1961
The Mike Douglas Show
TV show Self
