Art Evans

Biography

Arthur James "Art" Evans (March 27, 1942 - December 21, 2024) was a distinguished American actor whose career spanned over fifty years, marked by a diverse array of film and television roles. He began his journey in the performing arts with Frank Silvera's Theater of Being in Los Angeles, where he showcased his talent in the play "The Amen Corner," which later made its way to Broadway in 1965.

Evans made his cinematic debut in 1974 with an uncredited role in "Claudine," but he gained recognition with his first credited performance as Bubba in the 1976 episode "Too Many Crooks" of "Chico and the Man." He is perhaps most famously known for his portrayal of Leslie Barnes in the 1990 action film "Die Hard 2: Die Harder," where he played a crucial role as an air traffic control tower employee.

His impressive filmography includes notable appearances in "Fright Night" and its sequel, "Fright Night II," as well as memorable guest spots on classic television shows like "M*A*S*H" and "Hill Street Blues." In 1984, he joined an ensemble cast in "A Soldier's Story," captivating audiences with his portrayal of the opportunistic Wilkie. Evans also demonstrated his musical abilities in the film "Leadbelly," where he played the legendary musician Blind Lemon Jefferson, and made a notable appearance in Stevie Wonder's music video for "Go Home."