From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Joseph Sherrard Kearns (February 12, 1907 – February 17, 1962) was an American actor, who is best remembered for his role as George Wilson ("Mr. Wilson") in the CBS television series Dennis the Menace from 1959 until his death in 1962, and for providing the voice of the Doorknob in the 1951 animated Disney film Alice in Wonderland. Kearns suffered a cerebral hemorrhage on February 11, 1962, during the third season of Dennis the Menace. He was hospitalized but never regained consciousness and died five days after he had turned 55.