[Blackwolf]

Greetings, fellow Chefelfers!

Well, here we be --- less than 48 Hours to Oscar Night. Still, while we wait to find out whether a cowboy-lesbian love story will win Best Picture, I'd like to pass along a little bit of sad news from the world of Sid & Marty Krofft:

H.R. Pufnstuf has lost his best friend, and Witchiepoo her greatest enemy. Jack Wild, the legendary star of the Kroffts' first and greatest series, has died at age 53, from complications resulting from mouth cancer. In 1969, then 16-year-old Wild was an Oscar nominee for his performance in the movie version of the hit musical Oliver! when the Kroffts approached him to star as young Jimmy in H.R. Pufnstuf. The rest, as you know, is Saturday morning television history.

In 2000, Wild was diagnosed with oral cancer; following extensive chemotherapy, he recovered. However, in 2004, the cancer returned, forcing the doctors to remove both his tongue and vocal chords. From then on until his death, he had to rely on his wife Claire to do the majority of his speaking for him; indeed, only 3 months ago, Jack and Claire were travelling across England, as part of a program to raise public awareness about mouth cancer.

If you were a Krofft fan, Jimmy and Pufnstuf were your two best friends. I needn't explain why. Come post your memories of Jack Wild, if thou wouldst.

Master Blackwolf

This post has been edited by Blackwolf: 03 March 2006 - 12:42 PM

[Despondent]

He was also a (cameo) friend to Johnny Whitaker on Sigmund and the Sea Monsters.

Con-sider yourself, one of the family.