Gene Evans was born on July 11, 1922, in Holbrook, Arizona, and grew up in Colton, California. He served in the Army during World War II as a combat engineer, earning the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star for his bravery in action.
After the war, Evans began his acting career by performing in a theatrical troupe of GIs in Europe. He eventually made his way to Hollywood, where he made his film debut in the 1947 movie Under Colorado Skies.
As a rugged, red-headed character actor, Evans became a familiar face in many westerns, including Cattle Queen of Montana, The War Wagon, Support Your Local Sheriff!, The Ballad of Cable Hogue, and Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid.
In addition to his work in westerns, Evans also starred in several war films, such as The Steel Helmet and Fixed Bayonets!, and co-starred with future first lady Nancy Reagan in Donovan's Brain.
Throughout his career, Evans appeared in a wide range of films, including Park Row, The Giant Behemoth, Operation Petticoat, and Walking Tall. He also gained popularity on television, playing the father in the series My Friend Flicka from 1955 to 1959.
Evans remained active in the entertainment industry until the 1980s, when he retired to a farm near Jackson, Tennessee. Despite his retirement, he remained a popular guest at the Memphis Film Festival, attending the event for over a decade.
