‘Bonnie and Clyde’ actress Evans Evans dead at 91

Evans Evans in
Evans Evans was best known for "Bonnie and Clyde."
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Actress Evans Evans, best known for “Bonnie and Clyde,” has died at age 91.

A resident of Sherman Oaks, California, she passed away on June 16.

Her death was announced in a public obituary. Additional details around her cause of death were not disclosed.

Born in Bluefield, West Virginia, on November 26, 1932, Evans was married to “The Manchurian Candidate” director John Frankenheimer from 1963 until his 2002 death from a stroke at age 72.

Evans also went by the name Evans Frankenheimer.

She appeared in his 1966 movie, “Grand Prix,” and in his 1989 film, “Dead Bang.”

Evans Evans was in “Bonnie and Clyde” with Gene Wilder, as his big screen debut. Youtube
Evans Evans was in “Bonnie and Clyde” with Gene Wilder, as his big screen debut. Youtube
Gene Wilder and Evans Evans in “Bonnie and Clyde.” Youtube
Gene Wilder and Evans Evans in “Bonnie and Clyde.” Youtube

During a 2016 interview with Criterion, she opened up about going on the press tour with her husband for “The Manchurian Candidate,” which was controversial at the time it came out.

“I didn’t realize why they were so happy to have me there; I got stuck going to all these women’s television interview shows, which were big all over the country,” she said.

“Those and ladies clubs things I’d spent my life avoiding! It was sort of interesting, though, talking about the movie and all the people in it, et cetera. We got very good at it.”

Her career spanned five decades, but she was best known for playing kidnap victim Velma Davis in the 1967 film “Bonnie and Clyde” starring Warren Beattty and Faye Dunaway.

In the movie, her character is kissing her boyfriend, Eugene (played by Gene Wilder in his big-screen debut), when they notice thieves stealing his car.

Evans Evans in “Bonnie and Clyde” with Gene Hackman and Gene Wilder. Courtesy Everett Collection
Evans Evans in “Bonnie and Clyde” with Gene Hackman and Gene Wilder. Courtesy Everett Collection

They pursue the thieves — who are  Bonnie (Faye Dunaway), Clyde (Warren Beatty) and their gang.

The couple gets abducted by the gang, and events soon turn more lighthearted as they start enjoying each other’s company. However, after Eugene mentions that he is an undertaker, Bonnie leaves the couple on the side of a road.

Evans also appeared on “The Donna Reed Show,” “The Twilight Zone,” “Gunsmoke” and “Alfred Hitchcock Presents.”

She also had a Broadway career in the ‘50s and ‘60s, appearing in 1957’s “The Dark at the Top of the Stairs” 1960’s “A Distant Bell” and 1960’s “The 49th Cousin.”

Evans starred in “The Iceman Cometh,” “Prophecy” and “Are You Afraid of the Dark?” between 1973 and 1994.

During her 2016 interview with Criterion, she called Angela Lansbury a “very very dear friend.”

Additional details on her survivors were not immediately available.