Evelyn Ankers, a stunning movie actress, was a prominent figure in Universal's horror films during the 1940s. Born in Chile in 1918 to English parents, she spent her early years in England where she developed a passion for acting.
She began her acting career in small roles in English films during the mid-1930s while still in school. She appeared alongside notable actors such as Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh in films like "Fire Over England" (1937) and "Bells of St. Mary's" (1937). Her talent and beauty soon earned her starring roles in low-budget films like "The Villiers Diamond" (1938) and "The Claydon Treasure Mystery" (1938).
As war loomed over Europe, Ankers emigrated to the United States and was signed to a contract with Universal in 1940. She made her Universal debut in the comedy-horror film "Hold That Ghost" (1941) and later appeared in the horror classic "The Wolf Man" (1941) alongside Lon Chaney Jr.
Ankers found herself typecast in horror films, starring in three more Chaney films: "The Ghost of Frankenstein" (1942),"Son of Dracula" (1943),and "The Frozen Ghost" (1945). During this period, she also appeared in films like "The Invisible Man's Revenge" (1944) and supported Basil Rathbone's Sherlock Holmes in "Sherlock Holmes and the Voice of Terror" (1942) and "The Pearl of Death" (1944).
In 1942, Ankers married B-movie star Richard Denning and continued to work in the film industry, making a total of 24 films during her career. However, after the end of World War II, the popularity of horror films declined, and Ankers' career suffered.
She quit Universal in 1945 and freelanced at various studios, appearing in dramas and mysteries. Ankers co-starred with her husband in the major release "Black Beauty" (1946) and later headlined "Queen of Burlesque" (1946) for PRC. She also appeared in films like "Tarzan's Magic Fountain" (1949).
As the 1950s approached, Ankers quit the film industry to focus on her personal life and motherhood. She made one final screen appearance in "The Texan Meets Calamity Jane" (1950) before retiring from acting. A decade later, Ankers came out of retirement to make a final appearance in her husband's film "No Greater Love" (1960).
Evelyn Ankers passed away on August 29, 1985, at the age of 67, due to ovarian cancer.
