Spider-Man (2002 film) stars an American actor.
Clifford Parker `` Cliff '' Robertson III ( September 9 , 1923 -- September 10 , 2011 ) was an American actor with a film and television career that spanned half a century . Spider-Man (2002 film) . Based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name , the film stars Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker , a high school student living in New York City , who turns to crimefighting after developing spider-like super powers . Spider-Man also stars Kirsten Dunst as Peter 's love interest Mary Jane Watson , Willem Dafoe as Norman Osborn/Green Goblin , Rosemary Harris and Cliff Robertson as Aunt May and Uncle Ben , and James Franco as his best friend Harry Osborn .