The Psychedelic World Of HR Pufnstuf: Facts You Didn’t Know

NBC Picked up H.R. Pufnstuf to Capitalize on Jack Wild’s Success

Jack Wild was an unknown child actor in America before he rose to fame for his role as the Artful Dodger in Oliver! Wild’s performance garnered him a Golden Globe Award and numerous praises, including an Academy Award nomination.

Though he was well known in his home country of England, he quickly rose to teen idol status stateside. NBC wanted to cash in, and the network cast him in H.R. Pufnstuff barely a year later. This is why so many songs are centered around Wild’s character Jimmy. He was always meant to be the star of the show.