Actor Art Evans, Known for Roles in 'A Soldier's Story' and 'Die Hard 2,' Passes Away at 82
Acting veteran Art Evans, who amassed over 120 credits throughout his illustrious career, passed away on December 21. At 82 years old, the reason behind his demise remained undisclosed.
In a touching statement, Evans' spouse, Babe Evans, shared: "We're devastated to inform you all that Art has departed. Kindly respect our secrecy during this challenging time. A memorial service for intimates and relatives will be organized at a later stage. Thank you."
Born on March 27, 1942, in Berkeley, California, Art Evans embarked on his acting journey with Frank Silvera's Theater of Being in Los Angeles. Following a string of unacknowledged film appearances in the early '70s, his first credited role was in the 1975 TV movie The Orphan and the Dude. He then went on to star in numerous TV series such as Chico and the Man, Police Woman, MASH, Skag, Enos, and The Fall Guy. His small-screen appearances also included various TV movies and miniseries, including King, Some Kind of Miracle, The Cracker Factor, and The Boy Who Drank Too Much. In the realm of theatrical films, he featured in Fun With Dick and Jane, The In-Laws, and The Main Event*.
Evans also graced three episodes of the Emmy Award-winning crime drama Hill Street Blues. From 1986 to 1988, he also played a recurring role in the sitcom 9 to 5, which was a spin-off from the movie with the same name. He also appeared as the father of Ron Johnson (Darryl M. Bell) in two episodes of the comedy A Different World. His television guest spots were plentiful, but his most prominent theatrical roles came in A Soldier’s Story in 1984 (as the devious character Wilkie) and Die Hard 2 in 1990 (as an air traffic control tower employee who assists Bruce Willis' John McClane in thwarting terrorists).
Most recently, Evans lent his voice to two episodes of the animated series The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder from 2022-23.
Evans leaves behind his wife, Babe Evans, and son, Ogadae Evans.
Art Evans found significant acting opportunities in the popular TV series "Hill Street Blues," appearing in three episodes. His role in the sitcom "9 to 5" from 1986 to 1988 was also notable, as it was a spin-off from the movie with the same title. Evans also made an appearance in the movie "Die Hard 2" in 1990, where he collaborated with the renowned actor Bruce Willis.
