Jay North was a shipmate of mine in the Navy - Page 2 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

RetroGuy2000 · 10-24-2020, 05:02 PM

Thanks for bumping, Stevea. I enjoyed reading about Navy guys' recollections of Jay. It's so sad that he was mistreated as a child, but I don't doubt it in the least, because what he experienced is very closely mirrored by Patty Duke's experiences, and the experiences of other Hollywood kids from that era. Many so-called guardians and parents were just horrible to the kids in that era. I think of Joan Crawford's kids and just shudder.

stevea · 10-24-2020, 06:00 PM

I think many people have heard the story of his tragic acting childhood. The seemingly happy character was a child abused by a horrible aunt in whose care he was entrusted while at the studio--it's amazing he made it thru 4 years. By accounts he never had a chance to hang out with other actors like Billy Booth--he was whisked back to his dressing room as soon as his scene was completed (and, I imagine, heaven help him if he flubbed a line and caused a retake).

It's a fascinating thread, with several shipmates of his, who all had seemingly real stories of serving with him in the Navy.

10-24-2020, 05:02 PM	#16
RetroGuy2000 Julie,Julie Anne,&Felice 4Ever Forum Star Join Date: Dec 27, 2013 Posts: 16,914	Thanks for bumping, Stevea. I enjoyed reading about Navy guys' recollections of Jay. It's so sad that he was mistreated as a child, but I don't doubt it in the least, because what he experienced is very closely mirrored by Patty Duke's experiences, and the experiences of other Hollywood kids from that era. Many so-called guardians and parents were just horrible to the kids in that era. I think of Joan Crawford's kids and just shudder.
	__________________ The Facts of Life's "Lost Girls" Tribute to Julie Piekarski, Eastland Girl Join "The Group", Sitcoms Online's Facts of Life group!

10-24-2020, 06:00 PM	#17
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 45,318	I think many people have heard the story of his tragic acting childhood. The seemingly happy character was a child abused by a horrible aunt in whose care he was entrusted while at the studio--it's amazing he made it thru 4 years. By accounts he never had a chance to hang out with other actors like Billy Booth--he was whisked back to his dressing room as soon as his scene was completed (and, I imagine, heaven help him if he flubbed a line and caused a retake). It's a fascinating thread, with several shipmates of his, who all had seemingly real stories of serving with him in the Navy.