Born on March 27, 1942, in Berkeley, CA, Arthur James “Art” Evans is a distinguished African American actor renowned for his extensive career in film and television spanning nearly four decades. His journey began at Frank Silvera’s Theater of Being in Los Angeles, followed by a notable role in The Amen Corner, which transitioned to Broadway in 1965. Evans made his film debut with an uncredited appearance in Claudine (1974) and earned his first credited role as Bubba in an episode of Chico and the Man titled “Too Many Crooks” (1976).
Among his notable performances, Evans is prominently recognized for his roles as Bradlee in Trespass and Leslie Barnes in the 1990s action blockbuster Die Hard 2. In Die Hard 2, he portrayed an air traffic control tower employee at Dulles International Airport, pivotal in assisting LAPD detective John McClane (Bruce Willis) in thwarting terrorists intending to crash planes.
His diverse portfolio also includes appearances in Fright Night and its sequel, along with numerous television shows like MAS*H, Hill Street Blues, Monk, and Family Matters, where he portrayed a memorable character claiming to be Santa Claus.
In 1984, Evans co-starred in the acclaimed African American drama A Soldier’s Story, delivering a standout performance as the character Wilkie. Additionally, his musical talents shone through in his portrayal of Blind Lemon Jefferson in the biographical film Leadbelly.
