Cursed Facts About Jack Wild, The Artful Dodger
The Curse Of The Artful Dodger
Like many child actors, Jack Wild discovered that stardom wasn’t all glitz and glamor—it came with a serious dark side.
1. His Poor Habits Started Young
From the 1960s to the 2000s, English actor Jack Wild created a charming, youthful persona, launching him into the spotlight. However, fame is fickle, and he learned it can take just as much as it gives. Developing unhealthy habits early on in his life, he would later recall that he started using nicotine at the age of 12.
On the upside, he did have some healthier hobbies.
2. She Saw Their Potential
When he was 11 years old, Wild and his brother Arthur got their big break through an unlikely connection. While playing football with young musician-to-be, Phil Collins, his mother, June Collins, approached the two boys. Being a theatrical agent, she invited them to the Barbara Speake Stage School, which they accepted.
However, it wasn’t out of a passion for the work.
3. They Didn’t Care About Acting
While the Wild brothers had skeptically embraced acting, it wasn’t out of love for the craft. At first, they weren’t convinced, as they already had jobs delivering milk to support their family. However, they were told that show business might earn them more, so even when they started acting, it was first and foremost a job.
Luckily, it wasn’t long until this paid off.
4. His First Performances
Despite his later fame, Jack’s early gigs were less front and center. In 1964, he and his brother were in Oliver!, a West End production based on Oliver Twist. Wild auditioned many times for The Artful Dodger, but they told him was too short, instead being cast as Charley Bates.
It was actually his brother who landed the role of Oliver. But amidst this rejection, however, Wild found something else.
