A grand, robust, highly theatrical British classical actor, Maurice Evans was the son of a justice of the peace who enjoyed amateur playwriting on the side. In fact, his father adapted several adaptations of 'Thomas Hardy 's loving but unapproving warlock father. Evans returned to England in his twilight years and died there in a nursing home of heart failure as a result of a bronchial infection, aged 87.
Won a special Tony Award in 1950 for his body of stage work.
He played more leading roles in "Hallmark Hall of Fame" television productions of Shakespeare than any other actor, starring in versions of "Hamlet", "Macbeth", "Twelfth Night", "Richard II", "The Taming of the Shrew" and "The Tempest".
Started out as a boy singer, singing with the Saint Andrews choir in London.
His 1945 production of "Hamlet" was the longest-running Broadway production of the play, until surpassed by Richard Burton s 1964 revival.
Although John Barrymore is still considered the greatest American Shakespearean actor of the 20th century, the British-born Evans was the United States pre-eminent exponent of Shakespeare from 1936 until 1946, during which he appeared in no less than four successive Broadway productions of "Hamlet", as well as a few of the Bards other plays.
Evans appeared in more Broadway productions of Shakespeares "Richard II" than any other actor. His record remains unbroken as of 2004. His first 1937 production of "Richard II" (there were two that year) is the longest-running production of the tragedy ever to play on Broadway.
He probably made more appearances on the "Hallmark Hall of Fame" (a total of eleven) than any other actor, and his record most likely remains unbroken to this day.
Won two Tony Awards: in 1950, a Special Award "for the work he did in guiding the City Center Theatre Company through a highly successful season", and in 1954, as co-producer (with George Schaefer ) of the Best Play winner, "The Teahouse of the August Moon". He was also twice nominated for Tony Awards: in 1957 as Best Actor for "The Apple Cart" and in 1961 as Best Actor for "Tenderloin".
Along with actor-managers Walter Hampden and E.H. Sothern , Evans also holds the record for having starred on Broadway in more Shakespeare plays than any other actor.
While Evans was extremely well-known as a Shakespearean actor during the years that he was most active, his fame in this area was eventually eclipsed by that of Laurence Olivier and John Gielgud , who won even more acclaim for their performances than Evans did.
During World War II, he commanded the Special Entertainment Unit which included fellow actors Werner Klemperer and Carl Reiner.
First name properly pronounced "Morris" (the traditional English pronunciation of "Maurice"). On "Bewitched" , in which his character shares his Christian name (but is pronounced in the American manner), Agnes Moorehead on at least one occasion slips and pronounces his name "Morris".
After Bernard Fox (Dr. Bombay), Evans is the second longest lived regular or recurring cast member of "Bewitched" .
Portrayed Hamlet in five consecutive revivals of the play on Broadway, between 1939 and 1947. Counting up all of his performances, he may well have played the role on Broadway more times than any other actor in history.
During World War II, he presented a pared-down 90-minute "Hamlet" that became known as the "G.I. Hamlet" as many service members took in the play. Ironically, his first "Hamlet" on Broadway was the first time the play had been presented uncut on the Great White Way.
Along with Severn Darden , he is one of only two actors to play a villain in more than film in the "Planet of the Apes" series. He played Dr. Zaius in Planet of the Apes and Beneath the Planet of the Apes whereas Darden played Kolp in Conquest of the Planet of the Apes and Battle for the Planet of the Apes .
[on his job as producer of Shakespeare plays for the "Hallmark Hall of,Fame"]: Our job is to lead public taste, not play to what is thought to,be public taste. .
