Evalyn Knapp was an American film actress who had a film career spanning from 1929 to 1943. She was a leading actress in B-movie serial films during the 1930s, and her most memorable role was as Pauline Hargraves in the film serial Perils of Pauline in 1933.
Born in 1906 in Kansas City, Missouri, Knapp was the younger sister of bandleader Orville Knapp. Orville's band once featured Curly Howard, who later became a member of the comedy team The Three Stooges.
Knapp started her acting career in silent films and transitioned to talkies with her first credited role in the short film At the Dentist's in 1929. She played minor, unnamed characters before graduating to leading roles by 1931. She starred alongside Edward G. Robinson and James Cagney in the pre-code drama film Smart Money in 1931.
In 1931, Knapp suffered a serious accident during a hike, falling from a cliff and fracturing two vertebrae. She spent several months in the hospital and had to relearn how to walk.
In 1932, Knapp was selected as one of the WAMPAS Baby Stars, a promotional campaign honoring young actresses on the threshold of movie stardom. At 26 years old, Knapp was the oldest actress selected that year.
Knapp's subsequent film roles included starring in the film serial Perils of Pauline and receiving top billing in the comedy film His Private Secretary in 1933. She also starred alongside John Wayne in the comedy film His Private Secretary.
In 1934, Knapp married Dr. George A. Snyder and appeared in the Western film In Old Santa Fe, which marked the screen debut of Gene Autry.
By the early 1940s, Knapp's career had declined, and her last credited role was a small part in the crime comedy Roar of the Press in 1941. Her last known role was in the comedy film Two Weeks to Live in 1943.
Knapp retired from acting at the age of 37 and focused on her family life. She remained married to Snyder until his death in 1977 and died of heart disease in 1981 at the age of 75.
