Jay North, TV's mischievous Dennis The Menace, dies at 73

Jay North, young star of the new 'Dennis the Menace' series (right) attempts to handcuff Dean Martin (centre) as they play with a stuffed toy with Tony Curtis on Sept 15, 1959. Photo: AP

Jay North, who starred as the towheaded mischief maker on TV's Dennis The Menace for four seasons starting in 1959, has died. He was 73.

North died Sunday at his home in Lake Butler, Florida, and had colon cancer, said Laurie Jacobson, a longtime friend, and Bonnie Vent, who was his booking agent.