A native of Devonshire,[1] Evans started his screen acting career in 1914 at the World Film Company in Fort Lee, New Jersey.

[2] His performances include the Earl of Glenheather Castle in The Three Stooges comedy The Hot Scots and its remake Scotched in Scotland, the well-meaning but clueless butler Wilkes in Vagabond Loafers’’ and in the Our Gang short Shrimps for a Day.

In addition to his work in short subjects, Evans appeared—often uncredited—in such films as Casablanca, Strangers on a Train, Annie Get Your Gun and Song of the Thin Man.

[3][4] It was during the latter stint that Evans engaged fellow British ex-pat Cary Grant—two years prior to acquiring that soon-to-be iconic stage name–to become, in the words of the former Mr. Leach, circa fall 1969, "a barker for an incubator sideshow.

"[5][6] Even before his hiring had been announced, Evans made headlines in March 1920 with a $50,000 payment to the United States government in exchange for the newly decommissioned USS Recruit, which was promptly moved from Manhattan's Union Square to Luna Park, where it served as an ad hoc ballroom/bandstand for opening-day patrons and the U.S.