Art Evans was an actor best known for his performance as chief airport engineer Leslie Barnes in “Die Hard 2.”
- Died: December 21, 2024 (Who else died on December 21?)
- Details of death: Died in Los Angeles of complications from diabetes at the age of 82.
- We invite you to share condolences for Art Evans in our Guest Book.
Art Evans’s legacy
Evans began working on TV in the 1970s, with early guest appearances on such hit shows as “Chico and the Man,” “Police Woman,” and “M*A*S*H.” An early memorable role came in the 1983 film adaptation of “Christine,” the Stephen King novel. Evans wasn’t onscreen for long, but he made his mark as the first victim of the killer car – a factory worker who made the bad decision of ashing his cigar on the vehicle’s upholstery.
The following year, Evans had a meatier role in “A Soldier’s Story,” a Best Picture-nominated tale of an all-Black Army regiment during World War II. He played the brown-nosing Pvt. Wilkie. A high-profile role came his way in 1990 via “Die Hard 2,” in which his character’s knowledge of Dulles International Airport helped Bruce Willis’ John McClaine foil a terrorist plot. Evans’ many other movies included “Fright Night,” “Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling,” “Ruthless People,” “School Daze,” and “Tales from the Hood.”
Evans was also widely seen on TV, including in a supporting role in the later seasons of the TV adaptation of “9 to 5.” On “A Different World,” he played Ron Johnson’s father, and on “Family Matters,” he had a memorable guest role as a homeless man who helps the Winslow family understand the true meaning of Christmas. Other TV appearances included “The Fall Guy,” “Hill Street Blues,” “In the Heat of the Night,” “Doogie Howser, M.D.,” “Mad About You,” “The X-Files,” and “Everybody Hates Chris.”
Tributes to Art Evans
Full obituary: The Hollywood Reporter
