PRODUCER · BORN 1930 · DIED 2019
Robert Evans
- Born
- 29 June 1930, New York City, New York, USA
- Died
- 26 October 2019
- Known for
- The Simpsons (1989), Just Shoot Me! (1997), The Kid Stays in the Picture (2002), The Last Shot (2004)
29 archived facts 5 topics 1 source Last reviewed Sep 2026
All facts (29)
- #001
The character Stanley Motss, played by Dustin Hoffman in the 1997 film Wag the Dog, was created with Robert Evans as inspiration. Hoffman copied Evans's working habits, mannerisms, quirks, dress sense and hairstyle exactly, and also wore large square-framed glasses. It is said that after seeing the film, Evans remarked of himself, "I'm magnificent in this movie!" The comment sums up Evans's distinctive charisma and his influence in Hollywood.
- #002
Robert Evans's older brother, Charles Evans, founded the women's clothing brand Evan-Picone. The brand provided the bulk of Robert's financial resources and gave him the chance to advance in Hollywood as an independent producer. His brother's success in business allowed Robert to focus on his film career.
- #003
Robert Evans had a son named Josh Evans from his marriage to Ali MacGraw. Josh Evans followed in his father's footsteps, working as both an actor and a director. The father and son stood out as two notable figures representing different generations of Hollywood.
- #004
The character Robert Vaughn in Blake Edwards's 1981 film S.O.B. was written with Robert Evans as inspiration. While the film satirized Hollywood's dark side, Evans's personality and career gave the character depth. This shows Evans's cultural impact as not only a producer but also one of Hollywood's legendary figures.
- #005
Robert Evans was one of the names mentioned but not charged in the case known as the "Cotton Club murder." As the producer of The Cotton Club (1984), Evans was in contact with theater impresario Roy Radin as a potential investor in the film. Evans's name came up in the investigation into Radin's killing, but no charge was brought against him. The affair marks one of the controversial periods of Evans's career.
- #006
As head of production at Paramount Pictures, Robert Evans scored major successes such as Love Story (1970) and The Godfather (1972), but he did not share in those films' profits. He therefore persuaded Charlie Bluhdorn, chairman of Paramount's owner Gulf+Western, to let him make films personally. Evans's transformation of the studio from a money-losing operation into Hollywood's most coveted studio earned him Bluhdorn's trust. This allowed Evans to produce the classic neo-noir Chinatown (1974), leaving an unforgettable mark on film history.
- #007
Along with his ex-wives, Robert Evans had romantic relationships with some of Hollywood's most beautiful women. He was linked to names such as Ava Gardner, Grace Kelly, Lana Turner, Margaux Hemingway, Cheryl Tiegs and Beverly Johnson. These relationships show what a compelling figure Evans was in both his professional and private life.
- #008
Over the course of his career, Robert Evans turned down many major productions. He declined offers to produce box-office hits such as Airport (1970), The French Connection (1971) and Jaws (1975). These decisions show that Evans was a selective, visionary producer, though he sometimes missed out on big opportunities.
- #009
According to Robert Evans's autobiography, Sharon Tate had invited him to her home on the night she was killed, but Evans had to decline the invitation. Tate then invited Jay Sebring instead. The event marks a tragic period in Evans's life and left him with deep regret over Tate's death.
- #010
Robert Evans suffered three near-fatal strokes over the course of his life. Despite these health problems, he continued his film career and remained known as one of Hollywood's legendary names. The strokes were important turning points that demonstrated his perseverance and determination.
- #011
Robert Evans's luxury Beverly Hills mansion, "Woodland," once belonged to screen legend Greta Garbo. The property symbolizes Evans's position at the top of Hollywood and reflects his taste. Garbo's traces add a further depth to Evans's lifestyle.
- #012
According to producer David Brown's autobiography, his partner Richard D. Zanuck offered Evans the lead role in Lawrence of Arabia (1962) as a practical joke. The episode shows Evans's standing in Hollywood and his popularity among friends. It also reveals Evans's interest in an acting career.
- #013
Robert Evans's 1998 marriage to Catherine Oxenberg lasted only ten days. The brief marriage lays bare the ups and downs of Evans's private life. Evans's many marriages and divorces are part of his complicated and eventful life.
- #014
Robert Evans's parents were Archie and Florence Shapera. His father, Archie, ran one of the country's first racially integrated dental clinics. This shows the social awareness and progressive views of Evans's family. The environment in which Evans grew up helped him develop an outlook open to different cultures later in Hollywood.
- #015
Henry Kissinger was frequently hosted as a VIP guest at Robert Evans's mansion. Kissinger played tennis with tennis champion Jimmy Connors at Evans's home. This shows that Evans had a wide social network not only in the film world but also in political and sporting circles.
- #016
Robert Evans's autobiography, The Kid Stays in the Picture, was published in 12 languages and drew great interest. The film version of the book premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2002. The work recounts Evans's rise and falls in Hollywood in a candid voice and offers an important testimony to film history.
- #017
In May 2002, Robert Evans was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the Motion Pictures category. His star is located at 6925 Hollywood Boulevard. The honor is regarded as an official recognition of Evans's contributions to the film industry.
- #018
Robert Evans attended Super Bowl X at the Miami Orange Bowl with Raquel Welch. During the event, eleven cameras were simultaneously shooting the live crowd and football scenes for the film Black Sunday (1977). This move shows that Evans took an innovative and bold approach to filmmaking.
- #019
Robert Evans's son Josh Evans and his wife Roxy Saint had a son named Jackson in 2010. Roxy Saint is a singer. The birth of his grandchild marks the beginning of a new chapter in Evans's family life.
- #020
Robert Evans's seventh wife, Lady Victoria White, filed for divorce on 16 June 2006, citing irreconcilable differences. The marriage can be seen as a sign of instability in Evans's private life. Evans's many marriages and divorces reflect the difficulties in his personal life.
- #021
Robert Evans attended Henry Kissinger's 50th birthday party in 1973 at the Harmony Club in New York. The event reflected Evans's strong ties to political and social circles, and his friendship with Kissinger demonstrated his influence beyond Hollywood.
- #022
Robert Evans was offered the role of Monroe Stahr in The Last Tycoon (1976), a biographical film inspired by Irving Thalberg, but he turned it down. In an interesting coincidence, Evans had begun his film career by playing Thalberg.
- #023
Robert Evans trained at the renowned Stella Adler Studio of Acting. The training gave him a solid foundation for his acting career and later served him as a producer, with Adler's methodical approach sharpening his skills in character analysis and storytelling.
- #024
In 1967, Robert Evans attended the first Super Bowl with his friend Clint Eastwood. The event reflected Evans's connections in the worlds of sports and entertainment, and his friendship with Eastwood was one of the rare occasions when two legendary Hollywood figures came together.
- #025
Robert Evans was born the son of Florence (Krasne) and Archie Shapera. His father, Archie, was born in Holyoke, Massachusetts, to Russian Jewish parents, while his mother, Florence, was a Jew who emigrated from Odessa, then part of the Russian Empire. These origins form an important part of Evans's identity and cultural heritage.
- #026
Two of Robert Evans's divorces were finalized on July 21, and the other two on July 22. The coincidence might be read as a regularity in Evans's private life and perhaps a twist of fate, and his many marriages and divorces reflect the difficulties and searching in his personal life.
- #027
The prominent lawyer Robert Shapiro celebrated his 50th birthday at Robert Evans's mansion. The event reflected the breadth and influence of Evans's social circle, and hosting figures such as Shapiro at his home reinforced his standing in Hollywood and the legal world.
- #028
Robert Evans had a sister named Alice. Although little information is available about his family, Alice's existence points to Evans's family ties, and his relationship with his family was an important part of his personal life throughout his career.
- #029
Robert Evans was the former father-in-law of Charis Michelsen. This connection reflects the complexity of Evans's family relationships, and his many marriages and divorces gave him a wide family network.
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