It’s a Dodger’s Life

Propelled to stardom at the age of 15, until his tragic death from cancer at the age of 53, this is the story of actor Jack Wild, in his own words – published by Fantom for the first time.

“Jack’s popular legacy will probably always be Oliver! and Pufnstuf, these are still consistently what nearly everyone I meet mentions when Jack’s name comes up,” explains Jack’s widow Claire Harding. “I fear that the legacy promoted by certain sections of the media about Jack i.e. ‘child star to alcoholic to cancer victim’ might be an enduring one, and I hope this book helps to correct that idea. I think the true legacy of Jack should be someone who loved his work and entertaining the public, someone who went from the lowest point of alcoholism to being sober for the rest of his life, and was truly inspirational in turning his life around”.

This isn’t a memoir of pity and darkness. Jack loved life, and loved his life. Even in the face of the tragic diagnosis of mouth cancer which eventually killed him, he remained resolutely optimistic about life.

Completed by Jack’s widow Claire, the book is in Jack’s unique narrative voice with honesty, roguish charm and a breath-taking lack of self-pity. It’s a Dodger’s Life is now available in hardback.