Dennis Mitchell is a fictional character and the main protagonist of the syndicated comic strip and franchise Dennis the Menace. He is a freckle-faced 5-year-old boy with a very troublesome, but softhearted and helpful personality. Dennis's long-suffering parents, Henry and Alice Mitchell, can only shake their heads and try to explain their son's antics to others, yet they very much love and care for him. His personality lies within how his genuine attempts to help those in need, combined with his youthful energy and enthusiasm, frequently lead to big trouble wherever he goes, usually at the expense of his next-door neighbor Mr. Wilson.