The name might not ring a bell, but perhaps the picture will:
Jack Wild was Jimmy on “H.R. Pufnstuf,” the kid with the magic flute (and that’s not just a clever euphemism). More people probably know him, however, from portraying the Artful Dodger in “Oliver!” He had a bit of a pop music career as well; one of his semi-hits, “Melody,” was released the month I was born (August 1970). (It can be found on a really swell compilation called Yesterday’s Heroes: ’70s Teen Idols, along with my hero, Leif “I Can SO Get Arrested” Garrett.)
Wild died of complications of mouth cancer, a battle which resulted in the loss of his jaw and voicebox. Ugh. He’d been a heavy smoker and drinker during his life, but, reportedly, he was always a really swell guy. He was only in his early 50s. Shame.
