Trivia

Can play a number of musical instruments by ear; this talent came in handy when he portrayed legendary blues musician Blind Lemon Jefferson in the movie "Leadbelly".

Studied drama at the Theater of Being under the tutelage of Frank Silvera.

Made his professional stage debut in the Los Angeles production of "The Amen Corner".

He has made many appearances in a variety of television shows such as M*A*S*H, Hill Street Blues, Monk, The X-Files, and Family Matters on which he played a man claiming to be Santa Claus.

His first uncredited acting performance in film was Claudine in 1974.

He took a starring role in The Amen Corner which transferred to Broadway in 1965.

Art Evans was an American actor who made multiple film and television appearances over three decades.

In 1984, Evans co-starred in the all-star African-American drama A Soldier's Story as the memorable brown-nosing character Wilkie.

His most recognizable television role was on A Different World, portraying Mr. Johnson, father of Ron Johnson (portrayed by Darryl M. Bell).

He is probably best known for his role as Leslie Barnes in the action film Die Hard 2 (1990) in which he played the chief engineer at Dulles International Airport that helps LAPD detective John McClane, played by Bruce Willis, stop terrorists from crashing planes.

Evans also starred in the music video for Stevie Wonder's "Go Home".

In 2010, Evans was seen in Anderson's Cross playing the grandfather of the lead character Nick Anderson.

In 2011, Art had a guest appearance on the sitcom Last Man Standing in the episode titled "Grandparents Day".

His first credited role was in Chico and the Man as Bubba in the episode "Too Many Crooks" which aired in 1976, and his talents for many instruments came in handy when playing Blind Lemon Jefferson in the movie Leadbelly (1976).

Evans' acting career, spanning almost 40 years, started with Frank Silvera's Theater of Being in Los Angeles.

Son of Alfred Evans.