Tributes to dead Oliver! star Wild

BUTTHOLES

I just saw on the Oscars tonight that Jack Wild died last year. I can't believe it -- I feel as if I've lost one of my best childhood friends, one I've known since I was 8. I find myself awash in memories of how he was my first big crush. My sister and I memorized his song, "Consider Yourself," and sang it at family get-togethers, each of us trying to outdo the other's British accent. I have moved a lot as an adult and whenever I've settled into a new place, I've sung "Consider Yourself at Home" as I unpack the boxes. It always seems fitting. His death saddens me, and it makes me feel old and also 8 years old again, all at the same time. My birthday is coming up and this one will be marked by the passing of an era in my life that was symbolized by Jack Wild's Artful Dodger. I know he died last year, but to me, because I just found out tonight, he just died.

Just like DuVal from Bremerton, WA, I also learned about Jack Wild's death when I watched the Oscars. I wad so shocked and felt like a part of me died as well. It was like losing a family member...a dear friend. I adored Jack Wild and really believed in his acting skills. He was delightful to watch in Oliver! I have a dvd copy of this movie. My kids love it as well. Coming from the Philippines, I felt so privileged to watch two other movies of Jack Wild - The Pied Piper and Flight of the Doves. Just like many childhood stars, Jack's problems were probably triggered by instant fame and the how it just suddenly vanished, despite his enormous talent. That's a reality in the entertainment world which I hope, the industry learns to address to help child actors/stars cope with their success and decline.

God rest your soul, Jack. You have done well as an actor. You made a lot of people happy.

I'm only 14 but I loved him as The artful dodger in Oliver! He was so cute and lively and good at acting and it's sad that he died of tongue and throat cancer. When I saw the movie a few weeks ago I searched online and I saw that he'd died. I was so upset I cried and i'm still sad weeks after. When I was little I also used to watch H.R. pufnstuf because my mum was a fan of it. He was great! I loved his accent. Rest in peace Jack :(

i get really upset when i think about jack wild. im 13 years old, and ever since i was four, i had one ambition in life; to meet him and tell him how much i like him and also how much he has been a brilliant role model for me. i say this because ever since watching his performance in "Oliver" and "H.R. Pufnstuf" i have become a performer myself. i act, dance and sing on stages in real theatres (i go to a stage school and a dance school, i have won a trophy for my acting and tap dancing).
i am sure when i grow up and have children of my own, they will look up to jack the way i did.
All thanks to him that the principal of my stage school entered me into "THE ALL ENGLAND REGIONAL SEMI FINALS" <<< TA JACK ! hehe.

i wanna thank jack for inspiring me to become a performer just like he was. But the only difference is no one including me could ever beat his talent.
i will never forget you jack. Thanks for all my memories that ive had and still have to come !
R.I.P Jack wild xxxxxx

i really miss jack. i know this might sound a bit wierd, but sometimes i cry when i am on my own and thinking about him. some people start to think differently of him that he drank, and his apperance changed, but i dont care. he is still Jack Wild. Still the person everyone loves...
if anyone eles still feels sad about his death, can you msn me at pink.stuff@hotmail.co.uk please

Now in my 40's, I look back to the time when I first saw Jack in Oliver! Such a charming, mischevious, irresistable character, on and off screen apparently with a larger than life personality.
He was my first crush! and even now I still look for him in the scenes, he made that part his own and I remember how I felt then.
I was touched and saddened at the news of his death, and as DuVal mentioned earlier, you feel old but you can also connect to the young person you still are inside.
He had more than his fair share to deal with and ultimately was courageous and open about his troubles.
I hope he's at peace and will treasure that link to my childhood every time I see that adorable boy in the top hat and tails. X

Sooooooo sorry to hear about Jack's death. Heartbreaking moment. He was my childhood crush. He enspired me to sing and act. I will never forget him.

(Loved him in Oliver!)

hi only I want to say that I love jack wild and his movies melody and oliver, always he will remember it.

I love Jack Wild. He's one of those actors you see on television and wish you could know better. I was devastated to learn of his passing, and my sincerest prayers go out to his family. His work, especially as the Artful Dodger in Oliver!, has touched me immensely. I only wish he could have know how much joy he has brought me.

Life goes on.

Life must move forward.

Jack we remember you, and we love you.
Jack te recordamos y te amamos.

Its difficult to think acolhol and smokes when you visualize Jack Wild as Dodger or Jimmy. He's so much apart of my pyche. I thought he vanished into oblivion but when my husband told me he just heard he died I swear at that moment apart of me did too. We just recently lost my husband's mother. God rest her soul she was a lovely lady. Just as I think I'm feeling somewhat normal a part of my childhood dies. I work in a nursing home so death is a part of my job, but when it hits closer to home and heart it takes alot out of you. Its heartwarming to know that many of you share my great afftection for Jack. I have been visiting a few tribute sites lately and probably will for good now because they have been quite beautiful. I sure hope hes death at least has meaning for us.

Dearest Jack;
18 months have passed. I am not crying every weeek now, but my heart still ACHES. I truly believe somehow we crossed paths before and we will again. Wether Iam 13 or 100 I will always
regaurd you as the first man I ever loved. So very wrong for god to take you away..........
I love you Jack.
always and forever,
Carin

I'm only 13, but I love Jack Wild! It's great to think that kids like me still love him when he was in Oliver and HR Pufnstuf though we didn't grow up with it like people in the seventies did. I wish he was a kid in my generation, but it's good to know that kids like me still love him. That just proves the impacted he had on the world! I still love watching his movies and listening to his music. I bet the kids next generation will still love him as i do! He will never be forgotten!

Jack will always be in our hearts He was so talented and cute too Catherine

im only 14 but i luv jack wild. ive only just found out he was dead about 2weeks ago because i was watchin oliver! id seen it so many times before but neva really paid any attention 2 the characters. but this time i did. after it finished i researched Jack Wiild and found out he was dead. i was so VERY upset and i even cried at the time. although i neva met him i think he was probably a wonderful person and hope hes resting in peace.
xxx

I can't stop thinking about Jack Wild. Rented "Oliver!" to introduce to my kids, and fell in love with the Artful Dodger again, as I did when I was in high school. Got online to find out where he is now and was shocked. Don't know where I was in March 2006... just out of the loop I guess. So now I am in mourning. Jack's great gift to the world was his CHARMING performance as the Dodger. I'm so grateful for it, and wish his life didn't end up so sad. Jack, you are awesome. I will look up his other stuff because now I am obsessed with him.

I've loved and admired this man for so long, and I continue to be devastated by his passing, even though it's been over 2 years now. Never was there a kinder, sweeter soul on this earth; he was lovely to look at and wonderful to watch; truly an entertainer for us all...I never had the good fortune to meet him, but he has always been a big part of my life...I miss you, Jack, so very much...