Artful Dodger is gone.

[Raven]

Artful Dodger actor Jack Wild dies aged 53 LONDON (Reuters) - Actor Jack Wild, best known for playing the Artful Dodger as a teenager in the 1968 film "Oliver!", has died from cancer aged 53.

Nominated for an Oscar for that role aged just 16, he went on to star in the U.S. television series "H.R. Pufnstuf" and in several films before his career began to derail, in part because of excessive drinking from an early age.

"Jack died peacefully at midnight last night after a long battle with oral cancer," his agent Alex Jay said on Thursday.

"He always said he was an entertainer. He wanted 'The Entertainer' to be played at his funeral," Jay added, referring to the Scott Joplin tune used for the film "The Sting".

Wild, also a heavy smoker, was diagnosed with cancer in 2001 and underwent an operation in 2004 to remove part of his tongue and several vocal cords. As a result he lost his speech, but appeared on stage after the surgery miming his part in a pantomime.

Last year Wild married his long-term partner Claire.

Ron Moody, who played the role of Fagin in "Oliver!", paid tribute to his one-time co-star.

"He was such a professional ... he was always word perfect," Moody told BBC television.

The film -- adapted from Lionel Bart's musical itself based on the Charles Dickens novel -- has remained a perennial favourite.

It still attracts strong viewing figures when it is re-run on television even though it is nearly 40 years since its first release.

"Oliver!" won the Oscar for Best Picture in 1969 and an Oscar for its director, Sir Carol Reed.

[Raven]

LOL! I just saw yours! Dang it!



He was! I love the musical, Oliver! Cant believe fagin outlived him!

[theia]

Saw Snooze's post first, Raven!

So "ditto" on this one

[Raven]

LOL! I didnt see snoozes until I posted this one! And by then it was too late!