Jack Betts, famed ‘Spider-Man’ and ‘Friends’ actor, dead at 96
Hollywood legend Jack Betts has passed away at the age of 96 at his home in California.
Betts is a recognisable face to many. He was a Hollywood veteran who had a special friendship with Everybody Loves Raymond star Doris Roberts, with whom he shared a home until she passed in 2016.
Betts’ nephew revealed his death, telling The Hollywood Reporter that the beloved actor died on June 19th at home in his sleep. A fan page also paid tribute to the veteran actor via social media, confirming, “He was not Doris Roberts’ husband, as has been reported elsewhere.”
Betts was born in Miami in 1929. He studied theatre and aptly began his career with a Broadway adaptation of Shakespeare’s Richard III.
His success on screen began with his first appearance as the gun-slinger in Franco Giraldi’s Sugar Coat in 1966. He bagged the job by simply bluffing his way into the starring role. After the movie was a success, Betts starred in 12 consecutive films as the lead in the Italian Spaghetti Western films, ending that impressive run in 1972. However, these films were not distributed in Canada and America.
Upon his return from Italy, he starred in Dracula on Broadway for three years, starting in 1977; only once was he able to step into the titular role. He made fleeting appearances in TV shows such as Seinfeld, Frasier, Friends, Everybody Loves Raymond, and Power Rangers. However, Betts is most remembered for his role in film, as he played a major role in Sam Raimi’s 2002 take on Spider-Man.
In the superhero film, Betts played businessman Henry Balkan, who kicked Norman Osbourne, played by Willem Dafoe, out of his company. This was Osbourne’s villain origin story, as he then came back as the Green Goblin, who returned to kill Betts’ character. This wasn’t his first foray into the superhero universe, as he also appeared in 1995’s Batman Forever and 1997’s Batman & Robin.
In addition to his nephew, survivors include his nieces, Lynne and Gail, and his sister, Joan. Joan will turn 100 in November.
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