Art Evans was a reliable character actor with an impressive film and television career spanning over one hundred roles. He is perhaps best known for his work as Private Wilkie in the Oscar-nominated film A Soldier's Story (1984) alongside Denzel Washington and Adolph Caesar, and as Leslie Barnes in the box office hit Die Hard 2 (1990) starring Bruce Willis.
Evans' acting career began in the mid-1960s when he was cast in the lead role of David in the first professional production of James Baldwin's play "The Amen Corner." The production, staged by veteran actor Frank Silvera at his Theater of Being in Los Angeles, was a groundbreaking achievement that transferred to Broadway in April 1965. Although the production received a Tony Award nomination for its co-star Beah Richards, its reception on Broadway was less enthusiastic and closed after 84 performances.
As a Los Angeles-based actor, professional stage opportunities were limited, and Evans persevered, taking over a decade to establish himself in film and television. His first significant film role was as Blind Lemon Jefferson in the biopic Leadbelly (1976).
Evans worked steadily in film and television after that, appearing in a wide variety of films and television series. His long list of credits on the small screen includes a recurring role as Mr. Johnson, the father of Ron Johnson (Darryl M. Bell),on the hit TV series A Different World (1987).
Evans was highly respected within the industry and served as a mentor to many. He was well-regarded within the local Los Angeles acting community as an audition coach.
Sadly, Evans passed away in Los Angeles on December 21, 2024, after a long battle with diabetes.
