Jack Wild | WatchedThis

Jack Wild

Jack Wild

Acting

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.

Filmography Movies

Acting

A Game, Like, Only a GameMOVIE
MOVIE

A Game, Like, Only a Game

7.0(0.0K)
A Game, Like, Only a Game
Peter
Poster for Oliver!
MOVIE

Oliver!

7.0(0.5K)
Oliver!
The Artful Dodger
Poster for Melody
MOVIE

Melody

7.1(0.1K)
Melody
Ornshaw
Poster for Flight of the Doves
MOVIE

Flight of the Doves

5.9(0.0K)
Flight of the Doves
Finn Dove
Poster for Moussaka & Chips
MOVIE

Moussaka & Chips

8.0(0.0K)
Moussaka & Chips
Durgen Fleece
Poster for The Big Screen
MOVIE

The Big Screen

The Big Screen
Self
Poster for The Pied Piper
MOVIE

The Pied Piper

6.0(0.0K)
The Pied Piper
Gavin
Poster for Keep It Up Downstairs
MOVIE

Keep It Up Downstairs

4.2(0.0K)
Keep It Up Downstairs
Peregrine Cockshute
Poster for The World of Sid & Marty Krofft at the Hollywood Bowl
MOVIE

The World of Sid & Marty Krofft at the Hollywood Bowl

8.0(0.0K)
The World of Sid & Marty Krofft at the Hollywood Bowl
Himself
Poster for Alice
MOVIE

Alice

6.3(0.0K)
Alice
Mock Turtle

Gallery

Jack Wild portrait