Gene Evans
Active - 1947 - 1989 | Born - Jul 11, 1922 in Holbrook, Arizona | Died - Apr 1, 1998 in Jackson, TN | Genres - Western, Action, Drama, Adventure, Comedy | Height: 6’ 1½”
Gene Evans was born in Holbrook, Arizona, on July 11, 1922, and was raised in Colton, California. He served in the Army during World War II as a combat engineer, and was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star for bravery in action. He began his acting career there, performing in a theatrical troupe of GIs in Europe.
After the war, he went to Hollywood, where he made his film debut in 1947’s Under Colorado Skies (1947). The rugged, red-headed character actor was a familiar face in such westerns as Cattle Queen of Montana (1954), The War Wagon (1967), Support Your Local Sheriff! (1969), The Ballad of Cable Hogue (1970) and Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid (1973). He also starred in the war films The Steel Helmet (1951) and Fixed Bayonets! (1951) and co-starred with future first lady Nancy Reagan (before she became Nancy Reagan) in Donovan’s Brain (1953).
His other major films include Park Row (1952), The Giant Behemoth (1959), Operation Petticoat (1959) and Walking Tall (1973). He became well known in the 1950s on television, playing the father in My Friend Flicka (1955). He remained active in films and television through the 1980s. Evans subsequently retired to a farm near Jackson, Tennessee. He was a popular guest at the Memphis Film Festival for the past decade.
Available Films:
Active - 1947 - 1989 | Born - Jul 11, 1922 in Holbrook, Arizona | Died - Apr 1, 1998 in Jackson, TN | Genres - Western, Action, Drama, Adventure, Comedy | Height: 6’ 1½”
Gene Evans was born in Holbrook, Arizona, on July 11, 1922, and was raised in Colton, California. He served in the Army during World War II as a combat engineer, and was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star for bravery in action. He began his acting career there, performing in a theatrical troupe of GIs in Europe.
After the war, he went to Hollywood, where he made his film debut in 1947’s Under Colorado Skies (1947). The rugged, red-headed character actor was a familiar face in such westerns as Cattle Queen of Montana (1954), The War Wagon (1967), Support Your Local Sheriff! (1969), The Ballad of Cable Hogue (1970) and Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid (1973). He also starred in the war films The Steel Helmet (1951) and Fixed Bayonets! (1951) and co-starred with future first lady Nancy Reagan (before she became Nancy Reagan) in Donovan’s Brain (1953).
His other major films include Park Row (1952), The Giant Behemoth (1959), Operation Petticoat (1959) and Walking Tall (1973). He became well known in the 1950s on television, playing the father in My Friend Flicka (1955). He remained active in films and television through the 1980s. Evans subsequently retired to a farm near Jackson, Tennessee. He was a popular guest at the Memphis Film Festival for the past decade.
Available Films:
ASSIGNED TO DANGER ACE IN THE HOLE ARMORED CAR ROBBERY CRISS CROSS |
DONOVAN'S BRAIN FORCE OF ARMS HANGMAN, THE STEEL HELMET, THE |
Trivia:
Right after “The Steel Helmet” was finished, Sam Fuller was flush with money. During a Christmas party at his house, invited guest Gene Evans was certain he’d get something valuable. He was initially disappointed though that all he was given was the steel helmet with a bullet hole in it from the movie. Decades later Arthur Knight staged a retrospective of Fuller’s work at USC. Evans was invited to attend as a surprise guest unknown to Fuller. The two old friends had not seen each other for ten or fifteen years at that point. When Evans returned the helmet to Fuller, the director was very touched.and so moved that he couldn’t even talk.
Right after “The Steel Helmet” was finished, Sam Fuller was flush with money. During a Christmas party at his house, invited guest Gene Evans was certain he’d get something valuable. He was initially disappointed though that all he was given was the steel helmet with a bullet hole in it from the movie. Decades later Arthur Knight staged a retrospective of Fuller’s work at USC. Evans was invited to attend as a surprise guest unknown to Fuller. The two old friends had not seen each other for ten or fifteen years at that point. When Evans returned the helmet to Fuller, the director was very touched.and so moved that he couldn’t even talk.
