Jack Betts, known for his role as Henry Balkan in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man (2002) and a long career in spaghetti Westerns and theater, passed away peacefully in his sleep on June 19 at the age of 96. His death was confirmed by his nephew, Dean Sullivan.
Jack Betts was born in New Jersey and grew up in Miami. He got inspired to become an actor after watching the movie Wuthering Heights in 1939. He studied theater at the University of Miami and later trained at the famous Actors Studio in New York. He began his acting career on Broadway with Richard III and later starred in stage shows and movies, including a three-year run in the play Dracula.
In the 1960s, he acted in many popular Italian Western films, such as Sugar Colt. Later, he appeared in American TV shows like Seinfeld, Friends, Frasier, and Everybody Loves Raymond.
Betts’ last screen appearances was in My Name Is Earl, Recovery Road, and Good Trouble (2019).
The Beverly Hills Playhouse honored him with an emotional tribute “Our beloved Jack Betts passed away peacefully at home,” the post concluded, “There was only ever one like this, and we are the richer for having his presence in our theatre. Rest in peace, Jack.”
