'Spider-Man' Star, Longtime Character Actor Dies at 96

Jack Betts, who is best known for his extensive work as a character actor and major roles in Spider-Man and various spaghetti Westerns, passed away this week.

Betts' nephew Dean Sullivan, told The Hollywood Reporter his uncle passed away in his sleep at his home in Los Osos, California on Thursday. He was 96. 

Betts, who was born in Jersey City, N.J., made his acting debut in The Bloody Brood in 1959. He starred in more than a dozen spaghetti Westerns in the 1960s and 1970s and also had roles on soap operas like Guiding Light, One Life to Live, General Hospital, The Edge of Night, The Doctors, Another World, All My Children, Search for Tomorrow, Loving and Generations.

In Sam Raimi's Spider-Man (2002), Betts played Henry Balkan, who is responsible for firing Willem Dafoe's Norman Osborne at Oscorp Technologies. Dafoe's character later turns into the Green Goblin and exacts his revenge on Balkan and others at the company.

After news of Betts' passing became public, the Beverly Hills Playhouse paid tribute to the actor on social media.

“Our beloved Jack Betts passed away peacefully at home,” said the caption for the post. "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."

Betts was a close friend of actress Doris Roberts, and the pair lived together and escorted each other to Hollywood events from the late 1980s until Roberts' death in 2016.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Betts is survived by his nephew, two nieces and an older sister.