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Art Evans

Art Evans brought a grounded, alert presence to roles across film, television and the stage. Born in Berkeley, California, on March 27, 1942, Evans built an acting career that lasted almost 40 years, moving comfortably between drama, comedy, horror and action without losing the sense that his characters had lives beyond the edges of the frame. His career began with Frank Silvera’s Theater of Being in Los Angeles. Evans took a starring role in The Amen Corner, which transferred to Broadway in 1965, before making his uncredited film debut in Claudine in 1974. His first credited television role came as Bubba in a 1976 episode of Chico and the Man. That same year, his ability to play several instruments proved useful when he portrayed blues musician Blind Lemon Jefferson in Leadbelly. Evans became a familiar face through sharply defined supporting parts. In John Carpenter’s Christine, he played the Detroit auto worker who becomes the possessed car’s first victim. A Soldier’s Story gave him the memorable role of Wilkie, while Die Hard 2 placed him at the centre of the airport crisis as Leslie Barnes, the chief engineer who helps John McClane prevent a terrorist plot. Barnes was capable, pressured and essential to the story—exactly the kind of role Evans could make feel substantial. His varied film credits also included Fright Night, Ruthless People, Native Son, School Daze, The Mighty Quinn, Trespass, CB4, Tales from the Hood and Metro. On television, he appeared in series including M*A*S*H, Hill Street Blues, The X-Files, Family Matters, Monk and Last Man Standing. His most recognizable television role was Mr. Johnson, Ron Johnson’s father, on A Different World. Evans continued working into the 2010s, appearing as the lead character’s grandfather in Anderson’s Cross and guest-starring in Last Man Standing. Across his career, he gave supporting characters humor, authority and a convincing sense of purpose.