http://www.soap-passion.com:80/yr/acteurs-78.html
I thought he was already dead. RIP
EVANS, Michael Stage and Screen Actor. Michael Evans passed away in
Los Angeles at the age of 87, after a long and varied career on stage
and screen, spanning decades. He was very much an actor's actor,
having starred on Broadway, in films and on television consistently
through a forty-year life on the stage. Mr. Evans was a veteran of
several national touring companies over the years, eventually earning
a reputation as a consummate comedic and musical theater professional.
As a young man in his native England, he chose a spot at The Old Vic,
choosing membership there over an offer from the Royal Shakespeare
Repertory. It was a decisive decision. He studied under the legendary
acting coach Michel St. Denis (a direct disciple of Stanislavski), and
eventually came to America in the Broadway show "Ring Around The
Moon", in which he appeared opposite Harry Belafonte. The show proved
a success, and he and Mr. Belafonte then toured extensively across the
country. Mr. Evans then won the starring role in "Gigi",opposite
ingenue Audrey Hepburn, which caused a sensation. He was instrumental
in Ms. Hepburn's early stage process and growth, and the show was a
vehicle to her stardom. His next significant role was in "My Fair
Lady", as Henry Higgins. He starred in the National Company. Thus
began a magical run for all concerned. Mr. Evans went on to give
thousands of performances in the role, across the country and around
the world. He eventually toured with the National Company,
crisscrossing the country on the fabled "My Fair Lady Train",
maintaining a grueling schedule of performances in the marathon
musical. Some believe it to be the greatest musical of all time. Mr.
Evans portrayal of Higgins was considered by many critics to be the
definitive one, and there was much discussion and buzz in the
entertainment press at the time about the casting of the film role. He
returned to Broadway in "Mary, Mary". Evans was soon drawn to
Hollywood and the screen for the film version of "Bye-Bye Birdie".
Other films and countless television roles followed. He and his family
settled in Hollywood after years in Greenwich Village. His appearances
began, ranging from prestigious showcases like Kraft Theater and
Studio One, to popular series like The Man From U.N.C.L.E. and Perry
Mason.
He eventually began a remarkable 16-year run on CBS's number
one daytime drama "The Young & The Restless", from 1980 to 1995. His
was a role that grew from popular response to his early appearances as
"The Colonel", Douglas Austin. Mr. Evans was ex-R.A.F., and came from
that generation that was swept up in the world war, becoming a true
world traveler, seeking his fortune on the boards, and making his way
in the world as the thing he most wanted to be...an actor. He flew
with Trevor Howard and others during the Blitz of London in WWII. He
met his first wife, Patricia Wedgwood, the mother of his children, in
London at The Players Bar, Chelsea, London. They remained married for
25 years. He was born John Michael Evans, at "The Ramblers" his
family's place at Sittingbourne, County of Kent, Great Britain. His
Mother was the former Marie Galbraith, a concert violinist who was
born in Dublin, Ireland. His father was A.J. Evans, an R.A.F.
decorated Ace, shot down twice in WWI and captured, then escaping both
Prisoner of war camps. After the war, he went on to pen the novel
"Escapers Club", the first ever escape novel. He was Captain Cricket
on the English Cricket National Team, an over-fifty bracket Wimbledon
Champion and an avid sportsman, as well as an author. Among the many
highlights of Mr. Evans' career was the Russian tour of "My Fair Lady"
that was undertaken at the height of the cold war. Kruschev himself
attended, and the tour was seen as a groundbreaking cultural exchange,
as well as an artistic triumph, bringing Henry Higgins to Moscow and
beyond. Mr. Evans is survived by two sisters: Rosemarie and Bridget;
as well as his sons, Nick Evans, of Beverly Hills, and Christopher
Evans, of Northern California. Mr. Evans' second wife, Pat Sigris
Evans, passed away in 1986.
Published in the Los Angeles Times on 9/23/2007.