Latest news with #TheActorsStudio
Khaleej Times
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Jack Betts, star of 'Spider-Man' and 'General Hospital, dies at 96
Veteran actor Jack Betts, best known for his role in Spider-Man, has died at 96. Bett's nephew, Dean Sullivan, was quoted as saying by The Hollywood Reporter that the actor breathed his last week at home in Los Osos, California. A member of The Actors Studio, Betts portrayed Llanview Hospital doctor Ivan Kipling on ABC's One Life to Live from 1979-85, and his soap opera resume also included stints on General Hospital, The Edge of Night, The Doctors, Another World, All My Children, Search for Tomorrow, Guiding Light, Loving and Generations. Betts bluffed his way into starring as the avenging title character in Franco Giraldi's Sugar Colt (1966), where he was billed as Hunt Powers for the first time. The film kicked off a run of about 15 spaghetti Westerns for him through 1973 but left him without the fame enjoyed by another American star of similar Italian fare. He made his big-screen debut in The Bloody Brood (1959), starring Peter Falk, then joined Anthony George, Sebastian Cabot and Doug McClure in 1961 to play detective Chris Devlin on the second and last season of CBS' Checkmate, created by Eric Ambler. Betts appeared four times on CBS' Perry Mason from 1961-66 before he met Giraldi about starring in Sugar Colt. He told the director that he could ride a horse and had just won a shooting contest — of course, he had never been on a horse or handled a gun — but he spent the next three weeks learning those skills at John Wayne's ranch before reporting for duty at Cinecitta in Rome. He is survived by his nephew Dean, his nieces, Lynne and Gail, and his sister, Joan.
India.com
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- India.com
Spider-Man' Actor Jack Betts Dies At 96
Los Angeles: Veteran actor Jack Betts, best known for his role in 'Spider-Man', has died. He was 96. As per Bett's nephew, Dean Sullivan, Hollywood actor breathed his last on Thursday at home in Los Osos, California, The Hollywood Reporter reported. A member of The Actors Studio, Betts portrayed Llanview Hospital doctor Ivan Kipling on ABC's One Life to Live from 1979-85, and his soap opera resume also included stints on General Hospital, The Edge of Night, The Doctors, Another World, All My Children, Search for Tomorrow, Guiding Light, Loving and Generations. Betts bluffed his way into starring as the avenging title character in Franco Giraldi's Sugar Colt (1966), where he was billed as Hunt Powers for the first time. The film kicked off a run of about 15 spaghetti Westerns for him through 1973 but left him without the fame enjoyed by another American star of similar Italian fare. He made his big-screen debut in The Bloody Brood (1959), starring Peter Falk, then joined Anthony George, Sebastian Cabot and Doug McClure in 1961 to play detective Chris Devlin on the second and last season of CBS' Checkmate, created by Eric Ambler. Betts appeared four times on CBS' Perry Mason from 1961-66 before he met Giraldi about starring in Sugar Colt. He told the director that he could ride a horse and had just won a shooting contest -- of course, he had never been on a horse or handled a gun -- but he spent the next three weeks learning those skills at John Wayne's ranch before reporting for duty at Cinecitta in Rome. He is survived by his nephew Dean, his nieces, Lynne and Gail, and his sister, Joan.
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Jack Betts Dies: ‘Spider-Man' Actor Was 96
Jack Betts, the character actor who appeared in Sam Raimi's Spider-Man (2002) and over a dozen Spaghetti Western films, has died at the age of 96. Per The Hollywood Reporter, which first reported the news, Betts died Thursday in his sleep at his Los Osos, Calif. home, his nephew, Dean Sullivan, said. More from Deadline Andrew Garfield Says Spider-Man Return "Would Have To Be Very Weird" & The "Creative Freedom" Of Animated 'Spider-Verse' Movies Jon Bernthal Helped Tom Holland With Spider-Man Audition Tape: "Not That I Take Responsibility" New 'Spider-Man' With Tom Holland Gets Title - CinemaCon Born Jack Fillmore Betts (saying he bore a relation to the 13th POTUS Millard Fillmore) on April 11, 1929 in Jersey City, NJ, he grew up in Miami, where he eventually studied theater at University of Miami. Afterward, he moved to New York City, where he made his Broadway debut in 1953's Richard III. When a friend asked him to help with an audition for Lee Strasberg's famed nonprofit, The Actors Studio, the director of the prestigious acting school granted him a three-year scholarship to study there. As a result, the venerated Elia Kazan later cast him in a production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. (He later returned to Braodway for Kazan's 1959 production of Sweet Bird of Youth, as well as a late '70s revival of Dracula, in which he once portrayed the eponymous count as Raul Julia's standby.) Betts' first film credit was in 1959's The Bloody Brood, and in 1966 he was cast as the title character in Franco Giraldi's Sugar Colt, billed as Hunt Powers for the first time. That kicked off a string of credits in over a dozen Spaghetti Westerns through the 1970s. On the television side, Betts racked up a number of appearances in daytime soaps, including General Hospital, The Young Marrieds, The Edge of Night, The Doctors, Another World, All My Children, Falcon Crest, Search for Tomorrow, Guiding Light, Generations and The Young and the Restless. His other notable arcs included episodes for Perry Mason and The F.B.I., as well as turns in popular series like Gunsmoke, Seinfeld, Mad TV, Frasier, Everybody Loves Raymond, Friends, The Mentalist and Monk. (Betts was great friends with Everybody Loves Raymond star Doris Roberts, whom he met at The Actors Studio in the '50s; the two shared a home from the late '80s until her death in 2016.) In Spider-Man, Betts notably portrays Henry Balkan, the Oscorp Technologies board chairman who tells Willem Dafoe's Norman Osborn, 'You're out, Norman,' kicking off the Green Goblin's villainous arc. Later on in the movie, Osborn parrots back the phrase to Balkan, as he vaporizes the board in an attack on Times Square, gleefully shouting: 'Out, am I?' Additional film credits include 1993's Falling Down with Michael Douglas and Robert Duvall, the 1995 Val Kilmer-starring Batman Forever and 1998's Gods and Monsters opposite Ian McKellen and Brendan Fraser. In addition to his nephew, survivors include his nieces, Lynne and Gail, and his sister, Joan, who turns 100 in November. Following the news of his death, Beverly Hills Playhouse shared a tribute to the performer on Instagram, writing: 'Our beloved Jack Betts passed away peacefully at home. 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. Rest in peace, Jack.' Best of Deadline 2025 Deaths Photo Gallery: Hollywood & Media Obituaries 2024 Hollywood & Media Deaths: Photo Gallery & Obituaries Remembering Shelley Duvall: A Career In Photos
Free Malaysia Today
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Free Malaysia Today
Tributes pour in for veteran actor Mano Maniam
Mano Maniam, who died at age 79, was a cherished star of stage and screen. (YouTube pic) PETALING JAYA : Veteran Malaysian actor Veteran Malaysian actor Mano Maniam , star of stage and screen, died last night at age 79. As news broke of his passing, members of the performing arts community have come out to pay tribute to a treasured performer. Faridah Merican, the First Lady of Malaysian theatre, recalled their very first play together back in the 1970s. 'It was called 'He Who Gets Slapped', directed by Joy Zinoman. Mano played my father, and he gave his all, as he did with every role,' she told FMT Lifestyle. 'I worked with Mano for over a lifetime. He touched many lives with his roles in theatre. We were just talking about having a theatre show for seniors, and it is a pity we won't get to do it. 'The Malaysian arts scene will miss a great performer. May he rest in peace.' On the set of 'Kopitiam' with co-stars including Douglas Lim. (Double Vision pic) Theatre director and artistic director of The Actors Studio Joe Hasham, added: 'Mano was an amazing actor, and a wonderful human being. He lived a full and wonderful life, which we should celebrate.' Actor, comedian and musician Douglas Lim, who co-starred with Mano in the sitcom 'Kopitiam', considered Mano one of his primary mentors when he started doing television work 30 years ago. 'Mano was always passionate about the arts and the environment,' Lim said. 'In my eyes, he will always be the free-spirited, adventure-loving, caring and generous Uncle Mano.' Sabera Shaik, executive producer of Masakini Theatre, said Mano was a long-time friend with whom she had countless hour-long phone conversations. Mano, seated next to Hollywood actress Jodie Foster, on the set of the film 'Anna and the King'. (Mano Maniam pic) 'He was and will always be cherished as a formidable director, and actor who did Shakespeare proud. But Mano was not only an actor, he was an intrepid traveller who enjoyed exploring the world, discovering geographical marvels and meeting people. 'Above all, he was a wonderful friend who loved to laugh at himself, and laughed with you and never at you.' Actor Colin Kirton, who worked with Mano in 'Natra: The Musical' (2004) and a staged reading of theatrethreesixty's 'Death of a Salesman' in 2016, will always remember Mano's humility. 'In spite of his accolades and how highly he was viewed in the arts scene, what stands out to me was his character. He was the most humble, down-to-earth man – a true gentleman.' Mano accompanied by former 'Kopitiam' co-star Joanna Bessey (middle) and theatrethreesixty artistic director Christopher Ling, with teachers and students from SM Convent Bukit Nanas in 2014. (theatrethreesixty pic) Director, actor and animal activist Nicole Ann-Thomas concurred, calling Mano 'well-loved and kind'. 'He was always ready to share his experiences and stories with anyone who was willing to listen – and there were many of us,' she said. 'Thank you Mano. Rest well now.'
Express Tribune
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Joe Don Baker dies at 89 after decades as action star, known for Walking Tall and James Bond films
Joe Don Baker, the Texas-born actor best known for his rugged performances in Walking Tall and several James Bond films, has died at the age of 89. His family announced that he passed away on May 7. Baker rose to fame in the early 1970s, first gaining attention for his role alongside Steve McQueen in Junior Bonner (1972) and as a menacing mob hitman in Charley Varrick (1973). However, it was his portrayal of real-life sheriff Buford Pusser in Walking Tall (1973) that cemented his place in cinema history. As Pusser, Baker depicted a relentless lawman who fought crime with a wooden club, resonating with audiences during the politically turbulent Watergate era. The film, made on a modest budget, became an unexpected box office success, grossing around $40 million — the equivalent of over $600 million today. Director Phil Karlson attributed its popularity to audiences' desire for a strong, moral figure to root for. Baker also made notable appearances in the James Bond franchise, playing the villainous arms dealer Brad Whitaker in The Living Daylights (1987), and later returning as CIA agent Jack Wade in GoldenEye (1995) and Tomorrow Never Dies (1997). He was also recognized for his role as CIA agent Darius Jedburgh in the acclaimed BBC miniseries Edge of Darkness (1985), which earned him a BAFTA nomination. Born on February 12, 1936, in Groesbeck, Texas, Baker studied business before pursuing acting. He trained at The Actors Studio in New York and appeared in Broadway productions before transitioning to film and television. Over his career, he starred in The Outfit (1973), The Natural (1984), Cape Fear (1991), Mars Attacks! (1996), and Mud (2012), among others. He also led the NBC series Eischied and made appearances in In the Heat of the Night and Fletch. Baker was married to Maria Dolores Rivero-Torres from 1969 until their divorce in 1980. He is survived by family members in Groesbeck, Texas. A funeral service is scheduled for Tuesday in Mission Hills, California.
