Reg Evans


Reginald Evans was a British-born actor active in Australian radio, theatre, television and cinema from the 1960s, after having started his career in his native England.

Early life

Evans started drama while in the Royal Air Force, stationed near Oxford, England. After leaving the RAF, he studied at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, followed by work in repertory theatre. He toured Europe with the New Park Theatre Club and later became its artistic director.
Evans immigrated to Australia in the 1960s and worked in commercial radio and toured with the theatre company the Young Elizabethan Players.

Career

Evans' many Australian television appearances include guest roles in Homicide, You Can't See 'Round Corners, ''Skippy the Bush Kangaroo, Number 96, Division 4, Spyforce, The Evil Touch, A Time for Love, Behind the Legend, The Comedy Game, and The Hour Before My Brother Dies.
In 1980, he featured in the Australian version of Are You Being Served?
Evans played several roles in Prisoner – a colleague at Eddie Cook's electrical firm, the foreman at the printshop where inmate Bea Smith does her work release, and Foxy, an old friend of Lizzie Birdsworth, before taking the permanent role of Detective Howard Simmons in 1985.
He also appeared in the TV series Blue Heelers as Keith Purvis in the 1990s. In 2005, he returned to Blue Heelers in a smaller guest role.
Evans' film credits include Mad Dog Morgan, the Station Master in Mad Max, a pirate in The Island, Manganinnie, The Plains of Heaven, Kitty and the Bagman, Strikebound, My Letter to George and Celia. His final role was a part in film Charlie and Boots''.

Partial filmography

Film

Journey Out of Darkness – Man in pub

Television

Consider Your Verdict – John BraggeThe Stranger – Soshuniss citizen You Can't See 'Round Corners – Ern McCauliffeSkippy the Bush Kangaroo – Star / Frog / FredRiptide – Assistant Manager Woobinda, Animal Doctor – Spencer The Rovers – BarneyHomicide – Leo Fowler / Willie Morris / George Jackson / Len Tucker / Brian Smith / John Evans / Charlie WhiteDynasty – JimSpyforce – PruneThe Comedy Game – Bus Driver 1A Time for Love – guest role Number 96 – Mr Thorburn / Laundry ManagerDivision 4 – Merv Lacey / Joe Smith / Lesley FisherBehind the Legend – C.J. Dennis / John Shaw Nielson at 40The Evil Touch – RalphieAnd the Big Men Fly – Wally SlossScattergood: Friend of All Matlock Police – George 'Peg Leg' Jackson / Barney Sloane Tandarra – Tom EvansPower Without Glory – Bob StandishBluey – Wally 'Birds' AveryThe Sullivans – Mr PattersonSkyways – Errol FooteCop Shop – Percy Sutherland / Spud BrayshawPrisoner – Electrician / Fred / Mick 'Foxy' LawsonAre You Being Served? – Mr CockerAnd Here Comes Bucknuckle – Wally SlossI Can Jump Puddles – BlueyHoliday Island – George Wilmott Women of the Sun – StuckeyFive Mile Creek – Fred FinneganCarson's Law – Fred Cassidy / MattyEureka Stockade – GoodenoughA Country Practice – Ted MarshallAnzacs – General Birdwood Prisoner – Detective Howard SimmonsThe Fast Lane – Dr ChisholmThe Shiralee – LukePugwall – HenryMission: Impossible – Jules AshtonAll the Rivers Run II – SpecsSkirts – FishBoys from the Bush – StewieRatbag Hero – Cocky BrownThe Flying Doctors – FitzyThe River Kings – Mallee NedStark – Marina KeeperWedlocked – NormanSnowy River: The McGregor Saga – Jack KellyBlue Heelers – Keith PurvisThe Genie from Down Under – Army TouristSeaChange – Lewis Murphy Something in the Air – AlbertShort Cuts – Mr BarlowWelcher and Welcher – Freddie the ForgerMDA – Bob WhitecrossBlue Heelers – SpongeBob

Death

Evans and his partner, Angela Brunton, died in the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires.