Jack Wild
Date of birth: 1952-09-30
Place of birth: Royton, near Oldham, England, UK
Known for: Acting
Also known as:
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.
Movie Credits
A Game, Like, Only a Game
1966-02-16
The story begins with the death of a cat. For Mrs Everton, the owner, it climaxes four months of ter
Oliver!
1968-09-26
Musical adaptation of Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist, a classic tale of an orphan who runs away from
Melody
1971-03-28
Two youngsters declare to their parents that they want to get married. Not sometime in the future bu
Flight of the Doves
1971-04-02
While fleeing across the Irish countryside, two orphans are pursued by their villainous uncle, a mas
Moussaka & Chips
2005-11-13
Getaway driver Miles Foster is placed in witness protection after the murder of his friend Andres by
The Big Screen
1973-02-20
Two of Britain's leading film directors - John Schlesinger and Gerald Thomas - share the anxiety, ho
The Pied Piper
1972-12-27
Greed, corruption, ignorance, and disease. Midsummer, 1349: the Black Death reaches northern Germany
Keep It Up Downstairs
1976-07-28
The year is 1904; the setting is Cockshute Towers, one of England's stateliest homes. When the house
The World of Sid & Marty Krofft at the Hollywood Bowl
1973-11-24
The special consists of a series of performances and skits based around the shows of Sid and Marty K
Alice
1982-03-29
Alice was sitting in the park one day. She sees a jogger called Rabbit. When she first meets him she
The 14
1973-06-15
Set in London’s East End, The 14 (aka The Wild Little Bunch aka Existence) is based on the true stor
Pufnstuf
1970-05-13
Jimmy (Jack Wild) ventures to Living Island with his magical, talking flute, Freddy. Once there, he
Come Buttercup, Come Daisy, Come......?
1965-11-08
Henry Wilkes cultivates rare tropical plants.The length to which he goes to propagate and nurture ne
Danny the Dragon
1966-01-01
Gavin, Jean and Peter meet Danny the Dragon, an unintentional visitor from outer space. Danny and th
Stranger from Dragonara
1966-01-01
Dannicaforilithermidor
1966-01-01
Danny Gets Jet-Propelled
1966-01-01
The Runaway Bubble
1966-01-01
Dragon Trail
1966-01-01
The Tent with Four Legs
1966-01-01
The Invisible Space Bubble
1966-01-01
Dragon Hunt
1966-01-01
Potter in Pursuit
1966-01-01
In Search of Zoomite
1966-01-01
Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
1991-06-14
Nobleman crusader Robin of Locksley breaks out of a Jerusalem prison with the help of Moorish fellow
Basil
1998-07-22
A lonely young aristocrat in turn-of the century England struggles to meet the approval of his over-
First Confession
1969-02-20
Jackie has some terrible sins to admit to at his very first confession including a plan to murder hi