Jack and Arthur Wild: Psychedelic Brothers

In 1967, 16-year old Arthur Wild (left) originated the role of Oliver! on London's West End, with future pop superstar Phil Collins as the Artful Dodger. His 15-year old brother, Jack (right), played one of the street urchin pick-pockets.  (Arthur looked much older, but they were exactly one year apart.)

The next year, Jack landed the role of the Artful Dodger in the film version of Oliver!, with the naive waif played by Mark Lester.



In 1969-70 Jack Wild achieved teen-dream status for the heavily gay-coded Pufnstuf on Saturday morning tv.

Arthur auditioned for The Bugaloos(1970), but didn't make the cut.  Instead he had several starring roles on British tv, including Z Cars, Scene, and The Root of All Evil.   In 1970, he  released two teen idol records: "Boulevard St. Michelle" and "Lady of the Blue Lagoon."



Jack, who sang every week on Pufnstuf, released several singles, plus three albums of his own: Jack Wild, Everything's Coming Up Roses, and A Beautiful World.

Arthur retired from acting in the early 1970s.

 Jack starred in several well-received movies, including Melody (1971), as the best friend of a boy (Mark Lester) who wants to get married at age 12; and Keeping it Downstairs (1976), as Peregrine Cockshute, who invents the first condom.  The teen idol lifestyle took its toll, however, and his screen appearances became sporadic as he fell prey to alcoholism, diabetes, and finally cancer.





The brothers remained close throughout their lives.

 Arthur never married; Jack married twice.

Both died young:  Arthur on September 28, 2000, and Jack on March 1, 2006.

See also: H.R. Pufnstuf.