Early Life
North was born Jay Waverly North on August 3, 1951 in Hollywood, California to parents Jay and Dorothy North. North's father was an alcoholic and his parents' marriage was a stormy one. When he was four, his parents separated, and young North would never see his father again. As a single mother, Mrs. North went to work as the secretary to the West Coast director of AFTRA (American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) to support herself and Jay.
From a young age, North was a fan of television and, when he was six, his mother used her connections at AFTRA to arrange for him to appear on his favorite television program, local Los Angeles children's show, Cartoon Express hosted by beloved children's show host of the time, "Engineer Bill". This appearance caught the attention of prominent Hollywood talent agent Hazel MacMillan, who, impressed with his photogenic looks, contacted young North's mother the following day offering to represent him. Mrs. North, who was aware of the stories of troubled former child stars, had reservations, but finally gave her approval.
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