Veteran actor Jack Betts, known for Spider-Man, dies at 96
Jack Betts, best known for his roles in spaghetti Westerns and as Henry Balkan in Sam Raimi's 'Spider-Man' (2002), died peacefully in his sleep on June 19 at his home in Los Osos, California. He was 96. The news was confirmed by his nephew, Dean Sullivan.With a career spanning over six decades, Betts left an indelible mark on stage, film, and television. A lifelong admirer of Laurence Olivier - whose performance in 'Wuthering Heights' inspired his pursuit of acting - Betts studied theatre at the University of Miami before making his Broadway debut in Richard III. He later headlined Dracula on Broadway for three years, beginning in 1977.advertisementDuring the 1960s, Betts became a familiar face in Italian Westerns, notably starring in 'Sugar Colt' (1966), directed by Franco Giraldi. On television, he made memorable appearances in popular series like 'Seinfeld', 'Frasier', 'Friends', 'My Name Is Earl', and 'Everybody Loves Raymond'.
In more recent years, Betts continued acting with roles in shows like Recovery Road and Good Trouble (2019), proving his enduring presence on screen. His performance as Henry Balkan in 'Spider-Man', opposite Willem Dafoe, remains one of his most recognised roles.Jack Betts is survived by his nephew Dean, nieces Lynee and Gail, and his sister Joan.
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