Entertainment
Jack Betts, Spider-Man Star and Character Actor, Dies at 96: ‘We Were So Fortunate to Have Enjoyed His Great Spirit’
NEED TO KNOW
- Jack Betts, a character actor best known for starring in Spider-Man and spaghetti Western films, has died
- The star’s nephew said he died in his sleep at age 96 on June 19
- Betts is survived by his nephew and nieces, plus his older sister
Jack Betts, a character actor best known for starring in Spider-Man and spaghetti Western films, has died. He was 96.
Betts’ nephew, Dean Sullivan, told The Hollywood Reporter that the actor died in his sleep at his home in Los Osos, Calif., on Thursday, June 19.
The outlet reported that Betts lived with Everybody Loves Raymond actress Doris Roberts before she died in 2016. The pair were close friends and often went to events together from the late 1980s onward.
Roberts also directed Screen Test: Take One, a play written by Betts about a soap opera.
Sullivan, as well as a representative for Betts, did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment on Sunday, June 21.
New Jersey-born Betts was 10 when his family moved to Miami. His interest in acting was sparked when he saw Laurence Olivier in 1939’s Wuthering Heights, per THR.
After studying theater at the University of Miami, Betts kicked off his career through a Broadway adaptation of Shakespeare’s Richard III, Far Out reported.
He then went on to portray the gun-slinger in Franco Giraldi’s Sugar Coat in 1966 and later led a series of Italian spaghetti Western films. He also starred in Dracula on Broadway for three years from 1977, the outlet added.
Betts also featured in several TV shows, including Seinfeld, Frasier, Everybody Loves Raymond and Friends.
Betts is arguably most well-known for starring as Henry Balkan in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man (2002).
In the movie, his character works at Oscorp Technologies opposite Willem Dafoe’s Norman Osborn, who goes on to become the Green Goblin.
Betts later appeared in several television series in the years after, including My Name Is Earl, Recovery Road and most recently Good Trouble in 2019, according to his IMDB page.
After news of Betts’ death was made public, Beverly Hills Playhouse shared a photo of the actor on Instagram.
“Our beloved Jack Betts passed away peacefully at home,” the post’s caption read. “It is a sad day for the BHP as we have enjoyed his presence for so many years. There are actors who credit him with their not giving up because of his encouragement. We were so fortunate to have enjoyed his great spirit, passion and true dedication to the work.”
“There was only ever one like this and we are the richer for having his presence in our theatre,” the caption concluded. “Rest in peace, Jack.”
Betts is survived by his nephew, as well as nieces Lynee and Gail, plus his sister Joan, who turns 100 in November, according to THR.
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