Robert Evans

Biography

Robert Evans was an American film producer and studio executive who played a pivotal role in reshaping Hollywood during the late 1960s and 1970s. As the head of production at Paramount Pictures and later an independent producer, Evans was instrumental in bringing some of the most iconic films of the New Hollywood era to the screen.

Early Life

Robert Evans was born Robert J. Shapera on June 29, 1930, in New York City. Before entering the film industry, he worked in radio and later built a successful career in women’s fashion manufacturing alongside his brother.

Evans entered Hollywood somewhat unexpectedly. While visiting Beverly Hills, he was noticed by actress Norma Shearer, who recommended him for the role of Irving Thalberg in the film Man of a Thousand Faces (1957). Although his acting career was brief and not particularly distinguished, it opened doors within the industry.

Rise at Paramount Pictures

Evans’ breakthrough came when he joined Paramount Pictures in the mid-1960s. In 1967, he became the studio’s head of production at a time when Paramount was struggling financially.

Under his leadership, the studio experienced a dramatic turnaround. Evans championed bold, director-driven projects that reflected the changing tastes of audiences. His tenure helped usher in the New Hollywood movement, characterized by innovative storytelling and greater creative freedom.

During this period, Paramount released a string of highly successful and culturally significant films, including:

Rosemary's Baby (1968)

Love Story (1970)

The Godfather (1972)

Chinatown (1974)

These films not only achieved commercial success but also garnered critical acclaim and Academy Award recognition, solidifying Paramount’s dominance during that era.

Independent Producing Career

After stepping down as head of production in the mid-1970s, Evans transitioned into independent producing. He produced Chinatown, directed by Roman Polanski, which remains one of the most celebrated films in American cinema.

Throughout the late 1970s and 1980s, his career experienced both successes and setbacks. Legal issues and personal struggles, including involvement in a high-profile drug-related case connected to the Cotton Club murder investigation, temporarily damaged his reputation.

Nevertheless, Evans made a notable comeback by producing The Cotton Club (1984) and later serving as a producer on The Godfather Part III (1990).

Personal Life and Public Image

Robert Evans was known as much for his flamboyant personality as for his filmmaking achievements. With his distinctive voice, charismatic presence, and high-profile relationships—including marriages to actress Ali MacGraw and others—Evans became a symbol of Hollywood glamour and excess.

His memoir, The Kid Stays in the Picture (1994), became a bestseller and was later adapted into a documentary film. The book’s title reflected a defining moment in his career when a studio executive reportedly defended him with that now-famous line.