‘Die Hard 2’ and ‘A Soldier’s Story’ actor Art Evans has died, aged 82

23 December, 2024

Art Evans, the actor known for his roles in Die Hard 2 and A Soldier’s Story, has died aged 82.

The actor died on Saturday (December 21), “peacefully” while “surrounded by family”, as confirmed by his publicist Erica Huntzinger. His cause of death was complications from diabetes, a condition Evans battled for several years, per USA Today.

In a statement, Evans’ wife Babe said: “Art was not only an incredible actor but a devoted husband, friend, and source of light to everyone who knew him.

“His laughter, passion, and love of life will be deeply missed. While our hearts are heavy, we celebrate the legacy of joy and inspiration he leaves behind.”

Babe went on to ask for privacy at this time and said that a memorial for friends and family would be confirmed at a later date.

Evans was born Arthur James Evans in Berkeley, California, on March 27 1942.

Throughout his five-decade career, Evans appeared in over 120 films and television shows. His acting debut came in the form of a starring role in the James Baldwin play The Amen Corner, which ran at Frank Silvera’s Theater of Being in Los Angeles before going to Broadway in 1965.

In the 1970s he made the transition to screen, with a few uncredited film roles. He then went on to star in a 1975 TV movie The Orphan and the Dude, before amassing multiple TV and film credits in the next few years, including Leadbelly in 1976, Youngblood in 1978, M*A*S*H in 1979, The Fall Guy and the John Carpenter-directed Christine in 1983 and Hill Street Blues between 1981-1984.

His breakout role came in 1984, when he played Private Wilkie in the war drama A Soldier’s Story, alongside Denzel Washington, Howard E. Rollins Jr. and Adolph Caesar. The film earned three Academy Award nominations in 1985, including Best Picture.

A year later, he joined the cast of Nine to Five, a sitcom adaptation of the film starring Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, and Dolly Parton. Evans appeared in the series alongside Parton’s sister Rachel Parton George, Rita Moreno, and Sally Struthers, between 1986 to 1988.

In 1985, he also starred in the music video for Stevie Wonder‘s ‘Go Home’, taken from his twentieth studio album ‘In Square Circle’.

Later, he appeared in Die Hard 2, the 1990 sequel to the Bruce Willis-starring action thriller. Evans took on the role of Barnes, an air traffic control tower employee who helps Willis’ John McClane stop terrorists.

Evans’ final role was a voiceover stint on the Disney+ animated series The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder in 2022 and 2023.

He’s survived by his wife, Babe, and son Ogadae Evans.

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