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Jack Betts, an actor who is best known to soap fans for his turn as Dr. Ivan Kipling on One Life to Live, passed away in his sleep at the age of 96 on June 19 in Los Olso, California. His last soap opera appearance was on The Young and the Restless in 2002.
In Memoriam: Jack Betts
Betts was born and raised in Jersey City, New Jersey. When he was 10, Betts and his family relocated to Miami, Florida. He went to the University of Miami and studied theater. Betts early TV credits included the role of Chris Devlin on Checkmate. His first soap role was Dr. Ken Martin on General Hospital.
But it was his role as the creepy Dr. Ivan Kipling that put him on the soap opera map. Betts originated the role of Ivan in 1979 and returned a few times over the years. Dorian Lord (Robin Strasser) brought Kipling to town and wanted him to take over Dr. Larry Wolek's (Michael Storm) job as chief of staff at Llanview Memorial hospital. During his reign, Ivan terrorized Larry's wife Karen (Judith Light) by kidnapping her and taking her to a jungle hideaway. Betts reprised Ivan in the mid-1980s when it was revealed the character had received a bionic hand.
The actor worked regularly in primetime TV and film. Betts amassed over 100 credits throughout his career. He appeared as Henry Balkan in the 2002 Spider-Man film starring Tobey Maguire. Betts guest starred on Friends, Everybody Loves Raymond, Frasier, and Seinfeld.
His last soap opera role was on The Young and the Restless in 2002. He played a jeweler who sold Victor Newman (Eric Braeden) an engagement ring when he was going to remarry Nikki (Melody Thomas Scott).
Betts also appeared as art thief Louis St. George on Another World from 1982-83. He appeared on Search for Tomorrow as Dr. David Glenn, and on Guiding Light as Dr. John Cutler, an adversary of the Lewis family. Betts popped up in the premiere episode of Generations on March 27, 1989 as patriarch Hugh Gardner, who died in the first episode. On Loving, he played Charlie Rescott in 1990.
Everybody Loved Jack
In real life, Betts was pals with actress Doris Roberts (Everybody Loves Raymond; Angie) and Thaao Penghlis (Tony, Days of our Lives).
"My dear Jack," Penghlis began an Instagram post, honoring his late pal. "We spent some extraordinary times together when we traveled to Egypt many times. Climbing together up over Hatshepsut’s Mortuary Temple overlooking the Valley of the Kings until the secret police screamed at us for trespassing. but the next day we crossed Sinai desert to St Catherine’s monastery.
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"Going then into Syria to Palmyra just before ISIS charged through," Penghlis continued. "He loved adventures as much as he did his passionate work as a writer & actor. We studied with the great Milton Katselas for over 25 years. It was our golden age. As did Doris Roberts. We broke bread twice a week. Ah, the great stories we privately shared in the world of the shallow he always kept the candle lit. I will miss him terribly for that rare friend whose arms were always open."
Soap Central sends condolences to Betts's family and friends and fans of his work as Ivan on One Life to Live and other shows at this difficult time.
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