Latest news with #JackBetts
Yahoo
31 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Spider-Man and Spaghetti Western actor Jack Betts dead aged 96
Actor Jack Betts has died aged 96. The American star was best known for his roles in Spider-Man, Batman Forever and a long list of Italian Spaghetti Westerns under the name Hunt Powers, and passed away in his sleep at his home in Los Osos, California, on Thursday (18.06.25), according to a statement from his family, with news of his death only emerging on Saturday. (21.06.25) Born in Miami, Florida, in 1929, Jack studied theatre before launching his acting career on the Broadway stage in a production of William Shakespeare's Richard III. He later found fame in Italy after landing the lead role in Sugar Colt, directed by Franco Giraldi, in 1966. Though he had no formal Western experience at the time, Jack bluffed his way into the role — the first of a dozen films in which he would play a gunslinger from 1966 to 1972. Jack told The Dev Show in a 2021 interview: 'In the hotel next to mine was Clint Eastwood. He'd go up to his mountain and do his Western and I'd go up to my mountain and do my Western. But while his films had distribution all over the world, my films were distributed (everywhere) except Canada and America.' Despite the lack of the North American distribution, Jack's performances earned him international recognition. Upon returning to the US in the 1970s, he resumed theatre work, including a run as Dracula on Broadway between 1977 and 1980. He later took on television roles, most notably as Dr Ivan Kipling in the soap opera One Life to Live, which he appeared in until 1985. In 1988, Jack accepted an invitation from his longtime friend, actress Doris Roberts, to move into a downstairs apartment in her Hollywood Hills home. Doris, known for her role in Everybody Loves Raymond, passed away in 2016. Jack said they were 'best friends to the very end' and that they had 'wonderful times together'. The pair also appeared together on Everybody Loves Raymond in a 1999 episode. Over the years, Jack made guest appearances on several hit TV shows including Seinfeld, Frasier, Friends and Power Rangers. He also had small roles in Batman Forever (1995) and Batman and Robin (1997.) In 2002, he appeared in Sam Raimi's Spider-Man as Henry Balkan, a board member of Oscorp Industries. His character delivers the line informing Norman Osborn, played by Willem Dafoe, that he is being ousted from the company — a pivotal moment that sets Osborn on the path to becoming the Green Goblin. Jack's character, along with fellow board members, is later killed in the storyline. Fans of the actor have paid tribute on social media following news of his death. One said: 'Well shoot, another Hollywood gunslinger rides into the sunset. Jack Betts was one of those actors who could make even a B-movie feel like an A-list production.' Another fan added: 'RIP to a legend. Jack Betts brought so much to the screen – from gritty westerns to comic book charm.'
Perth Now
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Spider-Man and Spaghetti Western actor Jack Betts dead aged 96
Actor Jack Betts has died aged 96. The American star was best known for his roles in Spider-Man, Batman Forever and a long list of Italian Spaghetti Westerns under the name Hunt Powers, and passed away in his sleep at his home in Los Osos, California, on Thursday (18.06.25), according to a statement from his family, with news of his death only emerging on Saturday. (21.06.25) Born in Miami, Florida, in 1929, Jack studied theatre before launching his acting career on the Broadway stage in a production of William Shakespeare's Richard III. He later found fame in Italy after landing the lead role in Sugar Colt, directed by Franco Giraldi, in 1966. Though he had no formal Western experience at the time, Jack bluffed his way into the role — the first of a dozen films in which he would play a gunslinger from 1966 to 1972. Jack told The Dev Show in a 2021 interview: 'In the hotel next to mine was Clint Eastwood. He'd go up to his mountain and do his Western and I'd go up to my mountain and do my Western. But while his films had distribution all over the world, my films were distributed (everywhere) except Canada and America.' Despite the lack of the North American distribution, Jack's performances earned him international recognition. Upon returning to the US in the 1970s, he resumed theatre work, including a run as Dracula on Broadway between 1977 and 1980. He later took on television roles, most notably as Dr Ivan Kipling in the soap opera One Life to Live, which he appeared in until 1985. In 1988, Jack accepted an invitation from his longtime friend, actress Doris Roberts, to move into a downstairs apartment in her Hollywood Hills home. Doris, known for her role in Everybody Loves Raymond, passed away in 2016. Jack said they were 'best friends to the very end' and that they had 'wonderful times together'. The pair also appeared together on Everybody Loves Raymond in a 1999 episode. Over the years, Jack made guest appearances on several hit TV shows including Seinfeld, Frasier, Friends and Power Rangers. He also had small roles in Batman Forever (1995) and Batman and Robin (1997.) In 2002, he appeared in Sam Raimi's Spider-Man as Henry Balkan, a board member of Oscorp Industries. His character delivers the line informing Norman Osborn, played by Willem Dafoe, that he is being ousted from the company — a pivotal moment that sets Osborn on the path to becoming the Green Goblin. Jack's character, along with fellow board members, is later killed in the storyline. Fans of the actor have paid tribute on social media following news of his death. One said: 'Well shoot, another Hollywood gunslinger rides into the sunset. Jack Betts was one of those actors who could make even a B-movie feel like an A-list production.' Another fan added: 'RIP to a legend. Jack Betts brought so much to the screen – from gritty westerns to comic book charm.'
Metro
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Friends and Spider-Man star Jack Betts dies aged 96
Jack Betts, known for starring in Spider-Man, Friends, and several Spaghetti Westerns, has died aged 96. The actor died in his sleep at his home in Los Osos, California, on Thursday. His nephew, Dean Sullivan, confirmed the news to The Hollywood Reporter. He had previously shared a home with Everybody Loves Raymond star Doris Roberts, to whom he was a great friend. She invited him to move from New York into an appartment with her in the Hollywood Hills, where he escorted her to high-profile events from the late 80s until 2016 when she died. After Roberts died, Betts said they were 'best friends to the very end' and praised the 'wonderful times' they shared. Betts, born in Miami, Florida, in 1929, was most famous for appearing as Henry Balkan in the 2002 Spider-Man film alongside Tobey Maguire. His other film roles included a cameo in 1995's Batman Forever, plus one in Batman & Robin two years later. More Trending TV-wise, he appeared in Seinfeld, Frasier, and Power Rangers. Betts also popped up in Friends in 2001, playing Tom in The One with Joey's New Brain. He enjoyed an incredibly successful and varied career, which was kick-started on Broadway in an adaptation of William Shakespeare's Richard III. However, things rocketed when he played Hunt Powers across the Italian Spaghetti Western films. This is a breaking news story, more to follow soon… Check back shortly for further updates. If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. For more stories like this, check our entertainment page. Follow Entertainment on Twitter and Facebook for the latest celeb and entertainment updates. You can now also get articles sent straight to your device. Sign up for our daily push alerts here. MORE: Hailey Bieber and Selena Gomez 'feud' reignited after fans spot social media move MORE: Hee Haw actor Gailard Sartain 'dies aged 78' weeks after co-star MORE: Fat Joe sued for $20,000,000 over claims of underage sex with minors
Scottish Sun
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Friends and Spider-Man star dies in his sleep aged 96 after 60-year Hollywood career
STAR GONE Friends and Spider-Man star dies in his sleep aged 96 after 60-year Hollywood career LEGENDARY actor Jack Betts, known for his roles in Friends and Spider-Man, has died aged 96. The Hollywood star died in his sleep at his home in Los Osos, California, on Thursday. 2 Jack Betts has died 2 Actress Doris Roberts and Jack Betts arrive at the party celebrating the 200th Episode of 'Everybody Loves Raymond' Credit: Getty Betts befriended Everybody Loves Raymond star Doris Roberts and shared a home with her. Born in Miami, Florida, in 1929, the legend first began his career on Broadway, in an adaptation of William Shakespeare's Richard III. He then went on to an incredibly successful career, playing various characters across TV shows and movies. Betts had a cameo in the Batman Forever movie in 1995 and Batman & Robin two years later. But after appearing as Hunt Powers across the Italian Spaghetti Western films, his career rocketed. The legend had bluffed his way into the 1966 Franco Giraldi's Sugar Coat starring role and he held it for 12 consecutive films - ending in 1972. Speaking to the Dev Show in 2021, he said: "In the hotel next to mine was Clint Eastwood. "He'd go up to his mountain and do his Western and I'd go up to my mountain and do my Western. "But while his films had distribution all over the world, my films were distributed [everywhere] except Canada and America." Betts then went back to Broadway and starred as Dracula between 1977 to 1980. More to follow... For the latest news on this story, keep checking back at The U.S. Sun, your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, sports news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures, and must-see videos. Like us on Facebook at TheSunUS and follow us on X at @TheUSSun
The Sun
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Friends and Spider-Man star dies in his sleep aged 96 after 60-year Hollywood career
LEGENDARY actor Jack Betts, known for his roles in Friends and Spider-Man, has died aged 96. The Hollywood star died in his sleep at his home in Los Osos, California, on Thursday. 2 2 Betts befriended Everybody Loves Raymond star Doris Roberts and shared a home with her. Born in Miami, Florida, in 1929, the legend first began his career on Broadway, in an adaptation of William Shakespeare's Richard III. He then went on to an incredibly successful career, playing various characters across TV shows and movies. Betts had a cameo in the Batman Forever movie in 1995 and Batman & Robin two years later. But after appearing as Hunt Powers across the Italian Spaghetti Western films, his career rocketed. The legend had bluffed his way into the 1966 Franco Giraldi's Sugar Coat starring role and he held it for 12 consecutive films - ending in 1972. Speaking to the Dev Show in 2021, he said: "In the hotel next to mine was Clint Eastwood. "He'd go up to his mountain and do his Western and I'd go up to my mountain and do my Western. "But while his films had distribution all over the world, my films were distributed [everywhere] except Canada and America." Betts then went back to Broadway and starred as Dracula between 1977 to 1980. .
