Jack Wild

Born: 1952-09-30

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.


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Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves

as Much
Released: 1991-06-14

Nobleman crusader Robin of Locksley breaks out of a Jerusalem prison with the help of Moorish...

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Oliver!

as The Artful Dodger
Released: 1968-09-26

Musical adaptation of Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist, a classic tale of an orphan who runs away...

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The Pied Piper

as Gavin
Released: 1972-12-27

Greed, corruption, ignorance, and disease. Midsummer, 1349: the Black Death reaches northern...

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Basil

as Peddler
Released: 1998-07-22

A lonely young aristocrat in turn-of the century England struggles to meet the approval of his...

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Melody

as Ornshaw
Released: 1971-03-28

Two youngsters declare to their parents that they want to get married. Not sometime in the...

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Keep It Up Downstairs

as Peregrine Cockshute
Released: 1976-07-28

The year is 1904; the setting is Cockshute Towers, one of England's stateliest homes. When the...

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Pufnstuf

as Jimmy
Released: 1970-05-13

Jimmy (Jack Wild) ventures to Living Island with his magical, talking flute, Freddy. Once there,...

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Flight of the Doves

as Finn Dove
Released: 1971-04-02

While fleeing across the Irish countryside, two orphans are pursued by their villainous uncle, a...

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Danny the Dragon

as uncredited
Released: 1966-01-01

Gavin, Jean and Peter meet Danny the Dragon, an unintentional visitor from outer space. Danny...

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The 14

as Reg
Released: 1973-06-15

Set in London’s East End, The 14 (aka The Wild Little Bunch aka Existence) is based on the true...

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Alice

as Mock Turtle
Released: 1982-03-29

Alice was sitting in the park one day. She sees a jogger called Rabbit. When she first meets him...

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The Big Screen

as Self
Released: 1973-02-20

Two of Britain's leading film directors - John Schlesinger and Gerald Thomas - share the...

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Moussaka & Chips

as Durgen Fleece
Released: 2005-11-13

Getaway driver Miles Foster is placed in witness protection after the murder of his friend...

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The World of Sid & Marty Krofft at the Hollywood Bowl

as Himself
Released: 1973-11-24

The special consists of a series of performances and skits based around the shows of Sid and...

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The Mike Douglas Show

as Self
First aired: 1961-12-11

The Mike Douglas Show is an American daytime television talk show hosted by Mike Douglas that...

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Z-Cars

as uncredited
First aired: 1962-01-02

Z-Cars or Z Cars is a British television drama series centred on the work of mobile uniformed...

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The Onedin Line

as Peter Thompson
First aired: 1971-10-15

The Onedin Line is a BBC television drama series which ran from 1971 to 1980. The series was...

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Lock, Stock...

as Bill
First aired: 2000-05-29

Lock, Stock... was a 2000 television series off-shoot from the 1998 film Lock, Stock and Two...

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H.R. Pufnstuf

as Jimmy
First aired: 1969-09-06

H.R. Pufnstuf is a children's television series produced by Sid and Marty Krofft in the United...

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E! True Hollywood Story

as uncredited
First aired: 1996-08-21

E! True Hollywood Story is an American documentary series on E! that deals with famous Hollywood...

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The Liberace Show

as uncredited
First aired: 1952-05-16

This is a real treasure for the countless fans of this flamboyant pianist and singer whose...

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Our Mutual Friend

as Charley Hexam
First aired: 1976-03-01

Based on the Dickens novel, tells the story of a young man who's inherited fortune hangs on his...

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