Illustrious Shakespearean and Shavian actor who brought the classics to the masses with his Broadway performances, his numerous wartime productions and peacetime tours and his well-regarded presentations on TV's "Hallmark Hall of Fame" during the 1950s and 60s.
In films from 1930, Evans is probably best known to contemporary audiences as the inquisitor Zaius in the "Planet of the Apes" films and as Elizabeth Montgomery's warlock father, Maurice on TV's "Bewitched" (1964-72).
- Also Credited As:
Maurice Herbert Evans
- Born:
June 3, 1901 in Dorchester, England, United Kingdom
- Died:
March 12, 1989.
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Job Titles:
Actor, TV producer, Producer, Singer, Businessman
Family
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Father: Alfred Herbert Evans. amateur playwright
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Mother: Laura Evans.
Education
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University of Cambridge, Cambridge, England
Milestones
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1926 Stage acting debut in The Oresteia
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1927 First role on London stage in The One-Eyed Herring
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1930 Film debut, White Cargo
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1934 Joined the Old Vic
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1935 Broadway debut as Romeo in Romeo and Juliet
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1935 Left England for the United States and Broadway
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1938 Debut as Broadway producer, Hamlet (also star)
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1953 TV debut as Hamlet on Hallmark Hall of Fame
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1955 Debut as TV producer, The Devil s Disciple , Dream Girl and Alice in Wonderland (all on Hallmark Hall of Fame )
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1984 FInal film appearance in Sam Hughes s War
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Began career as a boy singer and appeared in father s adaptations of Thomas Hardy s novels
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Had recurring role as Samantha s warlock father on the ABC sitcom Bewitched
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Operated a cleaning and dyeing shop while waiting for stage break
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Served as major with US Army during WWII; was in charge of Army Entertainment Section in the Central Pacific arena
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Toured US and armed forces with version of Hamlet known as G.I. Hamlet