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Jack Wild

Compact dark-haired English juvenile lead of the late 1960s and early 70s. An enthusiastic singer and hoofer, Wild gained international notice as The Artful Dodger opposite Mark Lester's wan blond Oliver Twist in "Oliver!" (1968), Carol Reed's lavish film version of Lionel Bart's musical take on the Charles Dickens story. Wild's lively rendition of the showstopper "Consider Yourself" helped him net an Oscar nomination. Moving to Hollywood to exploit his new teen idol status, Wild was showcased in the campy and crypto-druggie kid's show, "H. R. Pufnstuf" (NBC, 1969-71; ABC, 1972-73). This Sid and Marty Krofft production featured Wild amid a gaggle of puppets and folks in elaborate costumes as a boy who is marooned with his magic talking flute in an enchanted land presided over by Mayor Pufnstuf, a friendly dragon, and bedeviled by the evil Witchipoo, who schemes to steal the flute for herself. Wild reprised this role for a feature version, "Pufnstuf" (1970).