Biography

Frederick William Evans was a British music hall and silent film comedian, who became famous around the time of the First World War for portraying his character Pimple in more than 200 short movies.

Evans was born in London into a family of music hall and circus performers. His grandfather, also named Fred Evans was a clown, his uncle Will Evans was a leading music hall comedian and his parents were members of several touring musical troupes. He was a childhood friend of Charlie Chaplin, and as a child performed with his brother Joe as part of his parents' pantomime act, the Florador Quartet. Fred and Joe worked together and individually in music hall and circus including with Sanger, before joining filmmakers Cricks and Martin in 1910.

In 1912, Fred and Joe set up a film production company, Folly Films. The films were extremely successful in Britain and by 1915 they were producing around six titles per month. Fred promoted the films by travelling around the country presenting them while also performing a live act.

During World War One Fred toured as part of an Army campaign to promote and raise funds for servicemen until he was dicharged on medical grounds in 1916.

After the war the Evans brothers continued to make films starring Fred but his popularity started to decline. Fred returned to performing in the music halls and made his last films in 1922.

Evans later appeared in revues with his wife and daughters, and worked as a film extra in the 1930s and presented a puppet show with his brother Joe during the Second World War.

Fred died in 1951 after performing in a circus.

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