The actor Jack Betts, known for playing Henry Balkan in Sam Raimi’s ‘Spider-Man’ (2002), and for his long and varied career in spaghetti Westerns and on stage, has died. He was 96. Betts died peacefully in his sleep on June 19, as confirmed by his nephew, Dean Sullivan.
Betts was born in New Jersey but spent his formative years in Miami. His passion for acting ignited after viewing the movie ‘Wuthering Heights’ in 1939. He pursued his theatrical studies at the University of Miami and later honed his skills at the prestigious Actors Studio in New York City. His acting journey began on Broadway with ‘Richard III,’ and his career saw him feature in plays and films. A highlight was his three-year stint in the play ‘Dracula’.
During the 1960s, Betts was a fixture in Italian Western films, including ‘Sugar Colt.’ His television work included roles in popular American shows such as ‘Seinfeld,’ ‘Friends,’ ‘Frasier,’ and ‘Everybody Loves Raymond.’
Betts’s last roles were in ‘My Name Is Earl,’ ‘Recovery Road,’ and ‘Good Trouble’ (2019).
The Beverly Hills Playhouse honored Betts with a heartfelt tribute. The post concluded with the words, “Our beloved Jack Betts passed away peacefully at home. There was only ever one like this, and we are the richer for having his presence in our theatre. Rest in peace, Jack.”