Admitted his heavy drinking contributed to the breakdown of his marriage to his Welsh wife Gaynor Jones.
After blowing his fortune, Wild was forced to live with his retired father for several years.
At 15, Wild was six years older than his Oliver! (1968) co-star Mark Lester, but he was so short and appeared so youthful that the movie's producers had him wear lifts to make him look more mature.
At the time of his death he was due to appear in Cinderella at the Swan Theatre in Worcester and had the part of Baron Hardup rewritten to exploit his abilities at mime.
Brother Arthur Wild played the title role in the West End production of "Oliver!" and Jack played one of "the boys." Auditioning for the role of the Artful Dodger several times, he was always turned down for being too short. It was only after he played the character in the celebrated screen version that he was offered the role on stage.
By the age of 21 he was a registered alcoholic and had been diagnosed with diabetes.
Came from a working-class family. His father worked in a tire factory and moved Jack and older brother Arthur from Manchester to London while Jack was still young.
Contrary to some reports, in real life he was not a close friend of Mark Lester.
Ex-wife Gay was a backup singer for various artists, including David Essex.
He was given a million-dollar contract with Capitol Records, for whom he made three albums, "The Jack Wild Album", "Everything's Coming Up Roses" and "Beautiful World".
His drinking and heavy smoking caused three near-fatal cardiac arrests and led to several spells in hospital during the 1980s.
In the UK he was a popular draw in provincial pantomime. He played Buttons in "Cinderella" several times until age prompted a switch to an Ugly Sister. He particularly regretted that, having played a famous fictional cockney, he had never appeared in "EastEnders" (1985).
Jack's minor role in his last film Moussaka & Chips (2005) reunited him with his Oliver! (1968) co-star Ron Moody.
Joined Alcoholics Victorious in 1988 and later became a born again Christian.
Knew singer Phil Collins when they were youngsters, and played football with him. Collins's mother, a theatrical agent, entered both Jack and his brother Arthur Wild into the Barbara Speake Stage School, a training facility for kid professionals.
Nominated for an Oscar in 1968 for his Oliver! (1968) role, he attended the Academy Awards ceremony on April 14, 1969, and had been assured he was a front- runner in the Supporting Actor category. He initially stood up when the category was announced and he heard the name "Jack." He sat down just as quickly when the full name of the winner was announced--Jack Albertson.
Received a special tribute as part of the Annual Memorial tribute at The 79th Annual Academy Awards (2007) (TV).
The Morrissey song, "Little Man, What Now," which describes a child star long faded from the spotlight, is widely believed to be about Jack Wild, although some sources claim that it is Malcolm McFee who is referred to in the song.
Toured the United Kingdom as "Bob Cratchit" in "A Christmas Carol" and also appeared in pantomime.
Was always careful never to be seen smoking or drinking in public because he didn't want to encourage young people to copy him.