Fred evans actor biography william

Fred Evans was a talented comedian whose 200 or so films were immensely popular before and during the First World War. Unlike his childhood friend Charles Chaplin, Fred, with the able support of his brother Joe, relied less on observational comedy, but drew more heavily on theatrical burlesque.

Deriving from the world of Victorian entertainment, their films abounded with punning intertitles and the relentless substitution of ludicrous for dramatic themes. As the anarchic Pimple, Fred rivalled Chaplin's early popularity in Britain, but changing circumstances were to leave him, and Joe, to pursue less exalted careers.

Joe scripted the films and provided jokey intertitles, while Fred acted as director.

Fred and Joe's grandfather was a popular clown, while their uncle Will Evans was a leading comedian and founder of the Sunny South film company.

Following a circus apprenticeship Fred and Joe performed with their parents in a pantomime act, the Florador Qu