Mark Stewart with Jack Wild

[@donlovesme1]

I had the privilege of knowing Jack the last few years of his life. He stayed with my family and I for 2 1/2 weeks in 1998. He was the perfect house guest! I loved the long talks we had about life, religion and his fame. He was a very humble man. He surely is missed.

[@BoyCamryn]

oh my god thats so cool!! did he have like a connection to your family like why was he at your house

[@rockshock06]

Omg Thats amazing! How were yall related? Cousins? You are so lucky!

[@SpookyElectric319]

Great story. You were privileged to have known him. The one and only Dodger. A great natural talent both as a child and adult. And seems like a genuinely nice guy, not affected by game or the business at all. He was taken way too young, bless him. RIP Jack Wild.

[@thecatman4ever]

What an amazing time you must of had! Thank you for this video. Jack was a class act! He was such a lovely person and actor. I really enjoyed him in H.R. Pufnstuf.

[@general3590]

Sue was your son in Virus Rock musical? I was one of the dancers, Jack and Claire stayed with one if the other casts mother. X

[@Kaffynated]

I loved Jack Wild so much. He was my first serious crush when I was 14 years old. I was shocked and saddened over his death... such a talent he was...!

[@mollycrombie6810]

I'm 14 and I think he is really good looking as the artful dodger

[@campfirestories]

So many celebs, and regular folks, ruin themselves with drugs, alcohol, excessive smoking, etc., but this disturbs me a lot because Jack was so exuberant as a child. A classic song and dance man in a child's body. I grew up with HR Pufnstuf and am introducing my daughter to it now. Knowing he ended in ruin like this way too early makes watching him as a child heartbreaking. As Brenda says above, though, despite his problems, he is still eloquent, kind-hearted and gracious. RIP old friend.

[@johncampbell3356]

I miss you Jack. Thank you for my happy childhood memories of you on HR Puffnstuff

[@TheDesktop2000]

Total Legend - what a gent and what a guy he was! Shame there are no more Jack Wilds - Luv you to pieces x

[@howardtaylor9114]

What a pleasant and humble man.

[@scottmiller6495]

What a great man he was and an amazing actor too! Also Jack was a class act here discussing his life good and bad to this man and everyone who saw this.No one will replace this wonderful human being who left us way too soon !!!!!

[@bigbreadeaterellis]

he still has a lot of dignity in the way he conducted himself throughout the interview...

[@MARKETMAN6789]

What a gracious truthful humble young man ,who is sadly missed

[@elisabethosmond2898]

Yes He was a very humble man and I know he is very well missed by all his friends family and fans, I think he was amazing

[@all4fishin]

This is so sad. I loved Jack Wild...watched HR Pufinstuf every Saturday morning....had such a crush on him as a young girl.....he had so much and was so successfull...RIP jack Wild...you will always be missed....:-(

[@ksm5563]

Same !

[@nord1486]

He was diagnosed with mouth cancer in 2000, initially had chemotherapy but then had his vocal chords and part of his tongue removed, he eventually lost his speech and had to communicate through his wife. He died in 2006

[@awesomemom533]

He was SO famous and yet managed to stay so humble and down to earth 💖

[@jackwild2370]

I think he is hansome any age even when he got cancer and got realy I'll and went down hill even know people took the piss out of him I just look staght through his looks and see that kind and harmles gental soll I will never forget him love him and I wish I cald have had what he had so he dident hafto suffer in pain I wald have my tongh and Voce box taken out so he CALD spek and eat it's just so sad to think what a lovely singin Voce he had and had his tong and Voce box taken out bless him I realy hope he cat sing and be happy I never got to meat him in real life but I can se he wald have bean that hartful doger everyone says he is I will miss him forevermore rip my jack wild 🎩🎩🎩

[@mariebelle2106]

Oh, he's just so lovely. God bless him xx

[@mickram23]

It's sad to see him in this condition but strangely uplifting due to his positive attitude and the fact that he doesn't blame others for his condition. He obviously accepted that all his life choices were his own and took responsibility for them. In some strange way that makes him a great role model to us all. Above all, he seems like a great bloke.

[@dwsan1tx]

The good ones always go first. I bet it was a pleasure to meet and visit with him.

[@janetmaxwell222]

I just watched Melody with Jack Wild and Mark Lester. Great viewing during the pandemic. Jack was still so charismatic in that film and I had such a crush. He so had the world by the tail in the late sixties and early seventies. There are lessons to be learned from what he went through. Any interview I have seen with him he seemed grounded, genuine and unaffected. He was my first crush:)

[@wheelinthesky300]

Jack was a damn good actor.

[@kreh1100]

It's a shame Jack got into drinking. He was such an all-around great guy, a very special person. I was so blessed to grow up watching his talent ❤❤❤

[@genarallee2370]

May God have mercy on Jack Wilde's soul. I am from Iraq. I was young and I followed him through the series H.R. pufn stuff it's awesome

[@sophielwilkinson7445]

I always loved The Artful Dodger he was definitely my favourite I thought he was quite cute Jack you will always be remembered 💗

[@oddbobproductions781]

I think he was quite gud lookin in his youth too :) so what if I am fifty years late

[@philipbonner6486]

I've always found Jack Wild fascinating, brilliant actor thank yourself you Jack for your wonderful talen.

[@MrHairyNeck]

34 years on, then this must be 2002. Just answered my own question. Wild is 50 here.

[@luxurylass]

LOVE HIM,, THINK IM ALWAYS GONNA LOVE HIM... SURE WISH I COULD HAVE MET HIM

[@chazarcola7639]

Jack Albertson won the Academy Award over Jack Wild because he was nominated in THE WRONG CATEGORY. Albertson was actually the lead male actor in "The Subject Was Roses" wherein he acted opposite Patricia Neal who was a Best Actress nominee and Martin Sheen who played their son. Wild portrayed The Artful Dodger, the best friend of Mark Lester as the title character "Oliver". He really should have won in the category of Best Supporting Actor.

[@user-zv8js6wt2y]

A very astute observation. Thank You for sharing. I too believed Jack Wild was robbed of an Oscar. The fact that this wasn't immediately corrected troubles me.

[@mollycrombie6810]

Am I the only one who thought he was good looking in oliver

[@PiaStJohn]

Molly Crombie Absolutely not!!!!!!

[@guinnevere100]

So did I.

[@PiaStJohn]

He was a pin up after Oliver! He was beautiful in his youth.

[@guinnevere100]

He certainly was.

[@jazzycool6144]

Molly Crombie he was so small, I thought he was like 10 but by the end of Oliver he was 16!!

[@tobiokagayama5917]

I watched Oliver when I was 4 and dodger was immediately my favourite character I’m twelve now but my entire life I watched him on old fashioned tv with my Nan with him in it and now I can’t watch anything with him in it because it reminds me of jacks death and my nans rip old friend and may you rest in peace ❤️

[@SpeegBJ]

Ever the Artful Dodger.....in life and on stage. Dear man, Dickens would have written and written about you if he were here. RIP and live on, Jack.

[@Shane07752]

Wonderful Actor.

[@SpookyElectric319]

He sure was. So sad to have passed so young. And so talented. He is sorely missed.

[@brookearmitage6130]

Love him 😍😍👏🏻❤️

[@iadorenewyork1]

Too bad he had some serious hardships, and he died too young. I thought Jack Wild was quite a talent back in his younger years, he was quite a talent. He is well spoken here and being patient and such with the interviewing. "I got very “rock and roll”, yes!".

[@trbryan4]

God I miss him a true Angel, such a brilliant, actor, singer, and human being! Love You forever Jack Wild, Glad he is no longer suffering. :'(

[@megb9900]

What a legend

[@87654321j]

wow 13 years sobber such a shame it was too late he was and allways will be one of the all time greats of hollywood

[@philippeh3904]

Damn don't do drugs, smoke or drink a lot kids. Because Jack was only like 52 when he died and he looks here like 67

[@JackAShepherd]

Philippe Hunt He didn’t even do drugs... Just obscene amount of alcohol (and cigarettes).

[@beautifuldreamer3991]

@@JackAShepherd both are drugs too.

[@letiziaexwera910]

@@beautifuldreamer3991 ENOUGH

[@JackAShepherd]

James Henderson I read his memoir. He is very explicit about his issues -- zero sugarcoating -- so I can't imagine he'd go into such detail and unload his soul only to lie about being a drug-user. He was a serious, nonfunctioning alcoholic from his early 20s to his mid-40s, if I recall correctly... The kind of drunk who didn't know if it was day or night. He would drink till he passed out, wake up to vomit, and drink some more till he passed out again. He developed really serious complications of alcoholism -- e.g., acute pancreatitis leading to pancreatic damage, causing diabetes. All from booze -- no narcotics.

[@DeezN00tz99]

@@JackAShepherd was it because of being a child actor or did something else happen?

[@rhodayackez2517]

What a shame, he's looking older than his years, he was such an incredible, natural talent. I had such a crush on him for years after that role

[@kopidol12]

PS THE LIGHT THAT BURNS TWICE AS BRIGHT BURNS HALF AS LONG R.I.P.JACK.

[@deeasztalos2520]

RIP Jack. I'll always remember you.

[@MelchiGabor1]

He says that he was responsible for the problems that he had.

[@MARKETMAN6789]

i love jack the man in this video ,so glad you put this up

[@juliemiller2523]

HE WAS SO SPECIAL AND HUMBLE.. EVEN COMPLIMENTED JACK ALBERTSON, WHO HE LOST THE AWARD OVER.. WHAT I LOVELY GUY, SO WISH I COULD OF MET HIM.. AND IM SO GLAD HE FOUND CHRIST.. I AM ALSO A JESUS LOVER SO I KNOW I WILL MEET HIM ON THE OTHER SIDE, I TRUELY CANT WAIT.,, REST IN PEACE MY BROTHER XO

[@madeleineameliacoopergreen5398]

I loved him in the movie. Utterly brilliant. His voice is so different here, compared to in the movie.

[@FakeFoodGoddess-kj5es]

Bless him. He was beautiful inside and out, and such a lovely man.

[@yoshigurl1966]

My all time favorite Mr.Wild. ... forever remembered since I was 3yrs old

[@maureenavena33]

such an amazing actor!! so sad that his life was cut short. R.I.P. Jack :(

[@AndreaJohnson27]

I just first watched Oliver! on TV about two weeks ago and fell in love with Jack Wild. So I look him up just to find out he's gone :( sucks that that always seems to happen for me. I wish he was still alive and well R.I.P.

[@jackwild2370]

When all the coronaviris is over I am going to go to visit his grave I know I can't meat him in real life nawe but least I can sit and spek where his body lays I will leve him some flowers and play some of his songs to him I will alwase miss him my dearest and cindest jack wild if I whas thear I wald have looked after him and we'll ...I spek to him at night out the windo and look out at the stars and just talk to jack wild I wish he CALD hear me alwase will be in my hart till the verry end 🎩🎩🎩🎩

[@nashvilletennessee3194]

A lot of people are unaware that Jack had cancer of the tongue and had to have part of his tongue removed which caused him to slur words later in life. Even though he was sober people still thought he was drinking because of the slurring. when friends found out, they wondered why Jack didn't say anything because he certainly would have drawn sympathy from everyone. He just wanted to keep the matter private! Ultimately, the cancer came back and it took his life.

[@lisastevens2431]

What a gentleman. My first crush when he played Jimmy in HR PuffnStuff.

[@ajones747]

I think Jack Wild **made** the part of dodger.

[@PinkLaffs]

I suspect part of his tongue had been removed by this point. Such a tragedy. So many amazing, beloved entertainers that become victim to the temptations of the business. He was even smoking/drinking like crazy by the time of "H.R. Pufnstuf."

[@oddbobproductions781]

“Jack Albertson” “Never heard of him” Ever heard of Willy Wonka..?

[@davidbaldwin8390]

Chico and the Man? but Jack did most of his work in his native country of England.

[@tommy4162661670]

What a lovelly and talented man, he reminds me so much of brian connolly of the sweet, who lost his health and fortune to booe, and over spending.. We hope jack is resting in peace, and my girl and I wish him the very best love in heaven...

[@87654321j]

such a shame what happend if only he had wanted to quit and the smoking aid patches were around RIP Jack Wild May your soul rest in peace

[@oddbobproductions781]

Agree with you and also luv your profile flag

[@cinnamonfeenie1925]

Why....he died exactly one month and 5 day before i was born. I miss him and never even knew him 😭😭😭❤️❤️❤️🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@tikiduck]

Sad to think of the potential this guy had, still. a great interview.

[@randyventresca1130]

I remember his from Pufinstuf:) Loved him and that show!

[@bravorogerbravo]

He was beautiful inside and out. A rare thing.

[@paulamiles9559]

Jack wild was 2 yrs older than me. When Oliver came out, I had a huge crush on him.

[@nicolebourcierphotographer]

Having read his biography and as a fan that wondered where he was after his first films as there was no internet , I can never understand how such star quality in both he and Mark Lester from such a young age that somehow they both suddenly fell through the net and no agents/film makers kept them in work when I think their first films would have made them well-established enough with many fans to make them both- In demand as Actors for LIFE- All I can surmise is that may be all the agents thought they must be booked up. Diana Dors was a true friend to Jack in the biography by what she said, shame she wasn't near by at the time to look out for him. But I won't giveaway any story Spoilers from his book.

[@debbiemendenhall6252]

NO,. When I was younger, I had his pictures all over my walls. I loved him so much and used to pretend that we were married. He was a great actor and I loved him as the Artful Dodger!!!!!

[@ianwattsOfficial]

Cheers Jack , always remembered 👍😊🏆👏👏👏RIP/VIP

[@kopidol12]

Deprsssing to see him like this , like hes had a fuckin stroke i wiill remember him as he was a bright eyed talented actor who everone loved !

[@ddivincenzo1]

Some do, as evidenced by myself. Not all "young people" are wrapped up in the here and now. Being knowledgeable of past history/events is invaluable.

[@elianamiller2666]

There is NO ONE who could ever be the Artful Dodger as it was so perfect for Jack Wild as Jack Wild WAS THE PERFECT PICK. HOW IN THE WORLD COULD IT HAD TAKEN THEM OF TO HAD TO KEEP CALLING HIM BACK 'TIL DECIDED JACK WILD IS THE, THE, THE ARTFUL DODGER. WOW A SO OBVIOUS ANSWER TO 'ARTFUL DODGER'. S U B P U R B A M A Z I N G! NOTHING LESS THAN P U R E B R I L L A N C E!!!! A FOREVER, NON-PAUSE OF B R A V O!!!!!

[@Mr.MayoYouTube]

Jack Albertson was great, Grandpa Joe in Willy Wonka

[@AxeNewkill]

@madprods Ironically.. the old guy who portrayed Fagin in that movie is still alive and still performing on stage! Jack should have made it clear that his live was cut 20 years short or more from smokig cigarettes.

[@diamondtran8331]

RIP Jack, aka Dodger.

[@MrRonigi5]

sad to see him this way ...........

[@ddivincenzo1]

@2:49 the interviewer states he never heard of Jack Albertson?! I don't know what role he won for, but he was "The Man"!!

[@jameswhitby2970]

ddivincenzo

[@jameswhitby2970]

he won for a film called the subject was roses. its funny but they often win for films that may not be remembered years later

[@Marcel_Audubon]

The Subject Was Roses had had a long and successful run on Broadway before the movie was made. The play had won a Pulitzer Prize for Drama and Tony Award for Best Play and Jack Albertson had won a Tony Award in the same role he played on the movie. Pretty heavy competition in a play with some heavy themes, especially as Oliver! was considered sorta lightweight fluff in the States as I recall. If you look at the box office receipts for Oliver! it just wasn't that popular in the US. This takes nothing away from Jack Wild's strong performance, just goes toward explaining why he was never gonna win the Oscar that year. Even today, The Subject Was Roses gets a 100% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes (hard to do!) while Oliver! only gets an 82%. Oliver! hasn't aged well. So nice to hear both Albertson and Wild are gracious in complimenting each other's performances. Final thought: the interviewer whining he had never heard of Jack Albertson says more about him than Albertson ... Jack Wild very quickly shoots that snark down! what a professional.

[@MrHairyNeck]

When was this recorded?

[@CarisGrey]

Whatta STAR!

[@7beers]

The guy says 34 years ago, so I guess it's 2003.

[@soulbrotherclassicheuck3833]

I always love Jack wild. He was a vary hamsome young kid. But I feel he went a lot in his life

[@JackAShepherd]

Soul Brother Classic Heuck What’s interesting is that, according to his memoirs (which I’ve just read), the sole demon in his life was this all-consuming alcoholism. He came from a happy, stable home and was close with his family; his parents managed his earnings honestly and no one took advantage of him or his money. He had a “diamond marriage,” as he puts it, with his first wife, from something like 1974 (but they were together well before then) till 1985. For the most part, his agents/managers did right by him. He just couldn’t lick the addiction to drink... Not till 1989, and by then his body was ravaged - he had diabetes, cirrhosis, and had had pancreatitis and two cardiac arrests (in his 30s!). By the time he got sober he looked about 37468 years old, and then of course he was diagnosed with oral cancer in his 40s and had his tongue and larynx removed before his death at Age 53 (which would’ve been just three years after this interview).

[@lilysmiles3195]

JackAShepherd It’s really sad what addiction causes. RIP Jack

[@nigelwilliams9307]

Some of the most talented people become alcoholic..

[@sunshine18102]

I loved jack wild since i was 8 years old and he was 12.

[@kayharris4894]

lynne aaron me to.

[@nofuture20091]

I love you Jack Wilde you are unique

[@simonlevante2257]

What year was this interview?

[@madprods]

Prob one of the last interviews he did before his death in 2005.

[@coltmanm]

you can see a picture of Jack it must have been not long before he died and hes unrecognisable. he looks about 80, its really sad to think what happened to him

[@andrewdown6234]

BEST MAN...QUEEN VICTORIA WOULD HAVE LOVE TO HAVE MET.........

[@amyclarke41]

Good in musical

[@ThonColinFilms]

When was this?

[@JackAShepherd]

Thon Colin Films He would’ve been Age 50 (re: “34 years on from Oliver!”), so 2002.

[@sirtinycreep]

@amiblueful He also lost his wonderful strong voice. I don't know if that was through diabetes, drink, or what. And despite what the interviewer says, he really doesn't look or sound well here. But thanks for posting. :)

[@haroldlockwood9688]

Edward Furlong is going the same way.

[@AislingG]

i liked him better when he was younger

[@KirksCORNER-1983]

Damn this dude was on some major dope

[@mariobriones4333]

Que pena no tengan subtitulos las entrevistas a jack.....

[@clairebunt5887]

❤️❤️😢😢

[@Kimberwheat]

it's a shame he was a good person

[@JohnJohnson-uw8dm]

Young people wouldn't know about that.

[@EdgyXD]

He died in 2006.

[@skulllifeizmylife]

2006* March 1st 2006.

[@sirtinycreep]

I assume he's 49/50 there.

[@kimberlyj.sullivan9304]

His poor voice.

[@JackAShepherd]

Kimberly J. Sullivan Oral cancer affecting his vocal cords (his larynx was removed a year or two later) and I believe he’d already had part of his tongue removed (fully removed a year or two later). Apparently he took it all in stride! His second wife, Claire Harding, who he mentions as part of the cast of the play he was working on at the time of this interview, was by his side till he passed.

[@Fishdude343]

2006

[@stephanblack4558]

He's all drunk up.

[@madprods]

Actually, he had mouth cancer

[@rebecacarrillo492]

El vicio del alcohol

[@KalleJularbo]

Does he have some kind of speaking problem? What happened to him?

[@gassbaggerwoods5955]

he had part of his tongue removed and later both his vocal chords removed which left him with no voice attall

[@KalleJularbo]

Louise: Too bad. =(

[@KalleJularbo]

Why do you ask? I think it´s really sad that he got oral cancer. He was great in Oliver!!

[@MegaTriumph1]

Smoking gave him oral cancer add drink to your life and you have a toxic nightmare.. Once you have oral cancer the odds are not that good. Jack was a great guy and very gifted.

[@KalleJularbo]

Too bad. =(