Jack Wild was an English actor who found his fame playing the Artful Dodger in the stage and screen versions of Oliver! His performance on screen won him an Oscar nod at the age of 16.  He then went on to play the lead role of Jimmy in psychedelic children’s television series H.R. Pufnstuf. Alcoholism derailed his career until the late 1980’s when he returned to the big screen with some minor roles.  He spent the remainder of his career working in the theatre until he was diagnosed with oral cancer in 2000.  He attributed the cancer to years of smoking and drinking.  He had his tongue and voice box removed in 2004 losing his ability to speak up until the time of his death.