Trivia

Served in the US Army during World War II, during which he received a Purple Heart for wounds received in battle and a Bronze Star for bravery.

Although he often played tough, snarling sergeants, gunslingers or cops, in reality Evans had very poor eyesight and could barely see without his glasses. Only in Donovan's Brain (1953) did his character, a scientist, get to wear glasses, and Evans at the time remarked that it was a revelation for him to be able to actually see the actors he was working with.

When director Samuel Fuller interviewed Evans for a part in The Steel Helmet (1951), the director had an M-1 carbine lying across his desk. Fuller threw the rifle at him and told him to "Rack it back," which he did. That was his audition, and Evans got the part.

Right after The Steel Helmet (1951), was finished, director Samuel Fuller was flush with money. During a Christmas party at his house, invited guest Evans was certain he'd get something valuable. He was initially disappointed, though, that all he was given was the steel helmet with a bullet hole in it from the movie. Decades later film historian Arthur Knight staged a retrospective of Fuller's work at USC. Evans was invited to attend as a surprise guest unknown to Fuller. The two old friends had not seen each other for ten or 15 years at that point. When Evans returned the helmet to Fuller, the director was very touched and so moved that he couldn't even talk.

Gene's parents owned a neighborhood grocery store in Colton, CA. called Evans Market.

Before Evans went to work on Samuel Fuller's Shock Corridor (1963), he got into a bar fight with a tough opponent. Evans claims he hit the guy as hard as he could but only succeeded in breaking his finger. When he reported to work with a splint, Fuller objected, so Evans did the picture without it, resulting in a permanently bent finger. Fuller reportedly said in appreciation, "Well, that's what you get for fooling around.".