Jack Betts, the prolific character actor known for his roles in spaghetti Westerns and as Henry Balkan in Sam Raimi's "Spider-Man," has died at the age of 96. Betts passed away peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, June 19, 2025, at his home in Los Osos, California, according to his nephew, Dean Sullivan.

Born Jack Fillmore Betts on April 11, 1929, in Jersey City, New Jersey, he discovered his passion for acting at a young age. Reportedly, he was related to the 13th U.S. president, Millard Fillmore. His family moved to Miami when he was 10 years old, and his interest in acting was ignited after watching Laurence Olivier in "Wuthering Heights" in 1939. He pursued his passion by studying theater at the University of Miami.

Betts's career began on Broadway in 1953 with a role in "Richard III." Before landing that role, Betts was working in a lamp factory when he helped a friend with her audition for The Actor's Studio, and he received a scholarship offer from Lee Strasberg. He then transitioned to television, appearing in numerous series, including "Checkmate," where he played Chris Devlin, and "General Hospital," as Dr. Ken Martin. He also had multiple roles on "Perry Mason" throughout the early 1960s.

During the 1960s, Betts ventured into the world of spaghetti Westerns, sometimes credited as Hunt Powers. He gained experience handling firearms and riding horses by training at John Wayne's ranch. This led to roles in approximately 16 spaghetti Westerns. However, he lamented that his films did not receive as wide distribution in North America as those of his contemporary, Clint Eastwood.

While he maintained a steady presence on television with roles in shows like "Seinfeld," "Frasier," "Friends," "Everybody Loves Raymond," "My Name Is Earl," "Recovery Road," and "Good Trouble," Betts is perhaps most recognizable for his role as Henry Balkan, the Oscorp board chair, in the 2002 film "Spider-Man." In the movie, Betts' character worked alongside Willem Dafoe's Norman Osborn, who later becomes the Green Goblin.

Betts also had a significant presence in soap operas, including "One Life to Live" from 1979 to 1985, where he played Dr. Ivan Kipling. His soap opera credits also include "General Hospital," "The Edge of Night," "The Doctors," "Another World," "All My Children," "Search for Tomorrow," "Guiding Light," "Loving," and "Generations." Moreover, Betts showcased his creativity as the author of "Screen Test: Take One," a play about a soap opera that originated on a film set.

Jack Betts shared a close bond with Doris Roberts, the actress best known for her role in "Everybody Loves Raymond." The pair lived together and were frequently seen at events together from the late 1980s until her death in 2016. Roberts also directed Betts' play, "Screen Test: Take One".

Following the announcement of his passing, tributes poured in. The Beverly Hills Playhouse, where Betts was a long-time presence, shared a heartfelt message on Instagram, praising his spirit, passion, and dedication to his craft. The post noted that many actors credited him with encouraging them not to give up on their dreams.

Jack Betts is survived by his nephew, Dean Sullivan, nieces Lynne and Gail, and his sister Joan, who will be 100 years old in November. His contributions to the world of entertainment will be fondly remembered by his fans and colleagues.