Person Details

Birthday:

Aliases: No known aliases

Gender: Male

Place of birth: Royton, near Oldham, England, UK

Homepage:

Movie Involvements: 20

TV Involvements: 4


Most Famous Work

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.

Most Famous Work

Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
Average
7
Oliver!
Average
7

Oliver!

(1968) The Artful Dodger
The Onedin Line
Average
7

The Onedin Line

(1971) Peter Thompson
The Pied Piper
Average
6

The Pied Piper

(1972) Gavin
Basil
Average
5

Basil

(1998) Peddler
H.R. Pufnstuf
Average
7

H.R. Pufnstuf

(1969) Jimmy
Lock, Stock...
Average
6

Lock, Stock...

(2000) Bill
The 14
Average
6

The 14

(1973) Reg

Acting

Year Character Movie/Tv
2005 Durgen Fleece
2000 Bill
1998 Peddler
1996 N/A
1991 Much
1982 Mock Turtle
1976 Peregrine Cockshute
Charley Hexam
1973 Himself
Reg
Self
1972 Gavin
1971 Peter Thompson
Finn Dove
Ornshaw
1970 Jimmy
N/A
1969 Jimmy
1968 The Artful Dodger
1966 Peter
Gavin
Gavin
Gavin
Gavin
Gavin
Gavin
Gavin
Gavin
Gavin
Gavin
N/A
1962 N/A
1961 Self
1952 N/A
Year Character Movie/Tv

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