What Happened to Barry Evans the Night He Died

Summary

Barry Evans, a once-rising star of the British film and television industry, is remembered for iconic roles like Jeremy Brown in 'Mind Your Language'. From an orphaned childhood to a successful acting career in the 60s and 70s, Evans experienced a tragic fall from fame, leading to a life of financial struggles and an untimely death shrouded in mystery. The script explores his journey, the cultural impact of his work, and the enigma surrounding the night he died, inviting reflection on the industry's harsh realities and the resilience of actors.

Takeaways

• 🎬 Barry Evans was a prominent British actor of the 60s and 70s, best known for his role as Jeremy Brown in the sitcom 'Mind Your Language'.
• 🌟 He started his acting career in 1961 and gained recognition with the film 'Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush' and the TV series 'Doctor in the House'.
• 🚗 In his later years, Evans struggled to find acting work and worked as a minicab driver, mirroring his role in the film 'Adventures of a Taxi Driver'.
• 🏆 His role in 'Mind Your Language' was both his breakthrough and the peak of his career, running for 42 episodes from 1977 to 1986.
• 👶 Born in 1943, Evans was orphaned as a child and grew up in Shaftesbury Homes, a detail that would later echo in one of his famous roles.
• 📚 He was educated in acting at the Italia Conti Academy and the Central School of Speech and Drama, showing versatility in his performances.
• 📉 Despite early success, Evans faced a career decline, with 'Mind Your Language' being his last significant work before roles became scarce.
• 💔 The circumstances of Evans' death on February 9th, 1997, remain a mystery, with evidence pointing to both potential suicide and murder.
• 🚔 His death involved a suspicious situation where he was found with a head injury, high alcohol levels, and old aspirin tablets nearby.
• 🔍 An 18-year-old was arrested on suspicion of involvement in Evans' death but was released due to insufficient evidence.
• 📖 A biography of Barry Evans is being written by Daniel Ward, which may shed more light on his life and the mystery surrounding his death.

Q & A

What was Barry Evans best known for?

Barry Evans was best known for his role as Jeremy Brown in the sitcom 'Mind Your Language'.

What was Barry Evans' first major role in a film?

Barry Evans' first major role in a film was in 'Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush' in 1968, where he played Jamie McGregor.

How did Barry Evans' career start in television?

Barry Evans' professional acting career in television started in 1961 when he was 18, with occasional bit parts in films or TV shows.

What sitcom gave Barry Evans his big break in television?

Barry Evans got his big break in television in 1969 when he was cast as Michael Upton in the sitcom 'Doctor in the House'.

What was the significance of the film 'Die Screaming Marianne' in Barry Evans' career?

The film 'Die Screaming Marianne' was significant in Barry Evans' career as it was a huge success and brought him more attention in the industry.

How did Barry Evans' role in 'Mind Your Language' impact his career?

The role in 'Mind Your Language' allowed Barry Evans to showcase his comic timing and acting skills, making him one of the biggest TV stars in Britain and defining his career.

What other notable film did Barry Evans star in that contributed to his fame?

Barry Evans starred in the sex comedy film 'Adventures of a Taxi Driver', which became a cult film and further contributed to his fame.

What was the tragic turn in Barry Evans' life after his acting career?

After his acting career, Barry Evans faced financial struggles and had to work as a minicab driver.

What remains a mystery about Barry Evans' death?

The cause of Barry Evans' death remains a mystery, with questions surrounding whether it was a suicide or a murder, and the circumstances of the blow to his head.

What was found at Barry Evans' home that suggested a possible suicide attempt?

An open packet of aspirin tablets, at least 26 years old, was found on the floor at Barry Evans' home, but it was concluded that he hadn't consumed these tablets.

What was the unusual detail about the aspirin packet found at the scene of Barry Evans' death?

The unusual detail about the aspirin packet was that the price tag did not have a decimalized price tag, indicating it was issued before 1971.

Outlines

00:00

🎬 The Rise and Fall of Barry Evans

This paragraph introduces the British actor Barry Evans, known for his role in the sitcom 'Mind Your Language' and other works from the 60s and 70s. Born in 1943, Evans was orphaned and grew up in various orphanages. His talent for acting was evident from a young age, leading him to study at the Italia Conti Academy and the Central School of Speech and Drama. His career began with minor roles before his breakthrough in 'Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush'. He later starred in 'Doctor in the House' and 'Adventures of a Taxi Driver', which contributed to his fame and status as a sex symbol. However, despite his success, Evans' career declined after the end of 'Mind Your Language', and he eventually faced financial struggles, working as a minicab driver before his death.

05:02

🚨 The Mysterious Death of Barry Evans

The second paragraph delves into the tragic end of Barry Evans' life. After the conclusion of 'Mind Your Language', Evans found it difficult to secure regular acting work and supplemented his income with theatre work and occasional benefits. His career resurgence with the role of Mr. Brown in 'Mind Your Language' was short-lived, and after his last film role in 1993, he turned to driving a minicab. The circumstances of his death on February 9th, 1997, remain enigmatic. The police discovered his body with a severe head injury and high alcohol levels, alongside an old packet of aspirin, but no evidence of consumption. An 18-year-old was arrested on suspicion of involvement but was released due to lack of evidence. The actor's home had been robbed, and there are speculations about his heavy drinking prior to his death. The paragraph ends with a reflection on Evans' career and an invitation for fans to consider the challenges faced by actors in sustaining their careers in the film and television industry.

Keywords

💡Meteoric rise

A 'meteoric rise' refers to a rapid and extraordinary increase in success or fame. In the context of the video, it describes Barry Evans' swift ascent to stardom in the British film and television industry during the 1960s and 1970s, particularly with his roles in 'Doctor in the House' and 'Mind Your Language'.

💡Merciless fall

A 'merciless fall' denotes a sudden and severe decline, often implying a lack of compassion or support during the downfall. The script uses this term to illustrate the abrupt end to Barry Evans' career after the success of 'Mind Your Language', where he struggled to find new roles and eventually faced obscurity.

💡Orphaned

To be 'orphaned' means to have lost both parents during one's childhood. The video mentions that Barry Evans was orphaned as a baby and grew up in various orphanages. Interestingly, his most famous role as Jeremy Brown in 'Mind Your Language' also involved playing a character who was orphaned as a child.

💡Sex comedies

Sex comedies are a genre of film that often revolve around sexual themes and situations, usually with humorous intent. The script highlights that Barry Evans starred in several sex comedies, such as 'Adventures of a Taxi Driver', which contributed to his popularity and helped to establish his career.

💡Cult film

A 'cult film' is a movie that has gained a dedicated and often狂热 following, typically for its unique or unconventional qualities. The video refers to 'Adventures of a Taxi Driver' as a cult film, implying that it has a special status among Barry Evans' fans and is remembered for its distinctiveness.

💡Ensemble cast

An 'ensemble cast' is a group of actors who collectively play significant roles in a production, rather than a single lead actor dominating the narrative. The script praises Barry Evans for his ability to stand out in 'Mind Your Language', which featured an ensemble cast and showcased his comic timing.

💡Sex symbol

A 'sex symbol' is a person, usually an actor, who is widely regarded as sexually attractive and becomes an object of desire for many. The video notes that Barry Evans became a sex symbol due to his roles in films like 'Adventures of a Taxi Driver', enhancing his appeal and fame.

💡Career decline

A 'career decline' indicates a period of reduced success or productivity in one's professional life. The script discusses the decline of Barry Evans' career after the end of 'Mind Your Language', where he struggled to find acting work and eventually turned to driving a minicab.

💡Mysterious death

A 'mysterious death' is one that occurs under unclear or unexplained circumstances. The video delves into the enigmatic circumstances surrounding Barry Evans' death, which involved a blow to the head, high alcohol levels, and an open packet of very old aspirin, leaving many questions unanswered.

💡Biography

A 'biography' is a detailed written account of someone's life. The script mentions that Daniel Ward is writing a biography of Barry Evans, suggesting that a comprehensive exploration of his life, including the details of his career and mysterious death, may soon be available to the public.

💡Re-invent

To 're-invent' oneself means to change one's image, identity, or approach significantly. The video ends with a question about whether actors today have more opportunities to re-invent themselves and prolong their careers, contrasting with Barry Evans' experience where his career was defined by a single role and ultimately declined.

Highlights

Barry Evans was a prominent British actor of the 60s and 70s, known for roles in 'Mind Your Language' and 'Doctor in the House'.

Evans had a troubled early life, being orphaned and raised in different orphanages operated by Shaftesbury Homes.

He demonstrated his acting talent in school plays and later studied at the Italia Conti Academy and Central School of Speech and Drama.

Barry Evans' first major role was in the 1968 film 'Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush', which marked his first starring role.

His role in the sex comedy film 'Adventures of a Taxi Driver' became a cult classic and contributed to his fame.

Evans' portrayal of Jeremy Brown in 'Mind Your Language' was his most recognized role, running for 42 episodes from 1977 to 1986.

The sitcom 'Mind Your Language' was remade in India and the United States, showing its international popularity.

Despite his success, Evans struggled to find regular work on television and occasionally claimed benefits due to financial struggles.

After 'Mind Your Language', Evans' acting career declined, and he took up a job as a minicab driver.

The circumstances of Barry Evans' death on February 9th, 1997, remain a mystery, with evidence of a blow to the head and high alcohol levels.

An 18-year-old was arrested on suspicion of involvement in Evans' death but was released due to insufficient evidence.

Evans' home was robbed, and his credit cards were stolen, raising questions about the nature of his death.

A biography of Barry Evans is being written by Daniel Ward, which may provide further insights into his life and mysterious death.

The film and television industry's impact on actors' careers, with a comparison between past and present opportunities for reinvention and longevity.

The transcript invites reflection on Barry Evans' career and prompts discussion on the challenges faced by actors in sustaining their careers.

The tragic tale of Barry Evans highlights the often overlooked stories of actors who experience a meteoric rise and fall in the entertainment industry.

Transcripts

The British film and television  industry has created many great  

stars who it seems we’ll remember  till time immemorial. But there  

are some stars whom we left behind. They  had a meteoric rise but also suffered a  

merciless fall. And then, we forgot about them.  Today, we’ll tell you one such tragic tale.

Actor Barry Evans was best known for  his role as Jeremy Brown in the sitcom  

Mind Your Language. He first appeared  on television in the Doctor in the House  

series and also played the lead in the sex  comedy film, Adventures of a Taxi Driver.

He soon became one of the most recognizable  faces of the 60s and 70s. But eventually,  

the roles stopped coming and over 20 years since  his death, we still don’t know what happened.

Join FactsVerse UK to learn about what  happened to Barry Evans the night he died…

BARRY EVANS’ EARLY LIFE AND CAREER

Barry Joseph Evans was born on June 18,  1943, in Guildford, Surrey. As a baby,  

he was orphaned and he grew up in  different orphanages – all operated  

by the Shaftesbury Homes. Interestingly  enough, one of his most famous roles would  

be of a character who was orphaned as a  child – but we’ll return to that later.

As a teenager, he would participate in school  plays and his peers and the school staff praised  

his talents. It was quite clear from an early  age that he was destined to become a great  

actor. After he graduated from school, he moved  to London to study acting. He first attended  

the Italia Conti Academy and then later honed his  craft at the Central School of Speech and Drama.

From his time in drama school, he showed  that he was a versatile actor who could  

take on a variety of roles. Naturally, as  he pursued his career he wanted to act in  

some of the best films and television  programs that Britain had to offer.

He began his professional acting  career in 1961 when he was 18. However,  

for a few years he only got the occasional  bit part in a film or TV show. He’d appear  

in one episode of a show and then he’d move onto  the next show. His first major role was in the  

1968 movie Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush  which was his first starring role in a film.

In this film, he played Jamie McGregor  – a young man who was eager to lose his  

virginity as fast as possible. While  this premise may seem rather crass,  

one must remember that in  the late 1960s and the 1970s,  

sex comedies were becoming rather popular and  this genre helped Barry Evans launch his career.

The film was a success and Barry Evans  slowly started receiving more work in  

television – though once again, it was  always a small role and only in one  

episode. His next role was a supporting  role in the drama film Alfred the Great.

However, in 1969 he got his big break in  television when he was cast as Michael  

Upton in the sitcom Doctor in the House –  based on the writings of Richard Gordon.

This sitcom lasted for 26 episodes  and was enough to make Barry Evans  

a well-known actor. He switched his focus  mostly on television and began receiving  

more roles. He would later reprise his  role as Michael Upton in Doctor at Large.

In 1971, he also had a lead role alongside  Susan George in the thriller film Die  

Screaming Marianne. This was a huge  success and brought him more attention.

In 1976, he played the lead role of Joe in the sex  comedy film Adventures of a Taxi Driver. This has  

now become his well-known film and has become  a cult film and a favorite amongst his fans. He  

also received praise for his role in  another sex comedy film Under the Doctor.

But arguably, the role he was best known for was  one he played for 42 episodes from 1977 to 1986.

BARRY EVANS’ RISE TO FAME

Barry Evans’ big break came when he was cast  as Jeremy Brown in a sitcom called Mind Your  

Language. In the show, he played an English  teacher who teaches the language to a diverse  

group of immigrants. Hilarity ensues due  to miscommunication, language barriers,  

and culture clashes. Plus on top of the  stress of dealing with the students,  

he also has to deal with the stern  headmistress Mrs – uh, I mean, Miss Courtney!

The show ran for 42 episodes from 1977 to 1986.  This was the show that allowed Barry Evans to  

show us everything he had. He had impeccable  comic timing and could still stand out even  

when working alongside an ensemble cast. He  was the star of the show and it became such  

a huge hit that it was remade in India  and in the United States – and in fact,  

the original show was a huge hit not  just in the UK but also overseas.

The show also made him even more of a sex  symbol – a status he had already received  

due to his role in Adventures of a Taxi Driver.  This was the role that would get him more offers.  

The other great role he took on the show Crown  Court. In this role, he showed that he could  

also take on a serious drama role – and could  be seen as an actor rather than just Mr. Brown.

In one episode of Mind Your Language,  

it’s mentioned that his character was orphaned  at a young age. One wonders if this was always  

part of the script or was written to  reflect Barry Evans actual life story.

By the end of the show, Barry Evans had become  one of the biggest TV stars in Britain. Yet,  

the same show that made him a star – would also  put an end to his career. As he grew older,  

his boyish looks didn’t work for  new roles. After the show ended,  

he only had 1 more credit – in a supporting role  in the 1993 film The Mystery of Edwin Drood.

His other popular role in the 1980s  was his supporting role in the comedy  

series Legacy of Murder – which only  lasted for 6 episodes and one season.

BARRY EVANS’ FALL

Unfortunately, Mind Your Language was  to be Barry Evans best work. It was  

the show that would define him and thus  became the last show we’d see him on.

But few people know the story of his struggle  before Mind Your Language. He was struggling  

to find regular work on television.  While he had his two successful films,  

he wanted to do something meatier. He  was working occasionally in the theatre,  

but his financial struggles meant that  he occasionally had to claim benefits.

He called up London Network Television to ask them  if there was more work and they were able to offer  

him the role of Mr. Brown in Mind Your Language.  While the series saved his career, it shows  

us that he was already going through the struggles  of just having a few projects now and then.

After his final film role in  1993, he couldn’t find more  

acting work. He then began to work  as a minicab driver. One wonders if  

he felt that this would be a permanent  departure from acting or whether he was  

planning a comeback. In any case, he was in his  fifties now and sadly, he would never act again.

According to his IMDB profile, Barry Evans amassed  a total of 27 credits from an acting career that  

began in 1961 and ended in 1993. He mostly  acted on television and had a few film roles.

But it wasn’t just his career  that came to an abrupt end. Sadly,  

we lost Barry Evans abruptly as well…

WHAT HAPPENED TO BARRY EVANS THE NIGHT HE DIED?

The death of Barry Evans still remains a  mystery to this day. On February 9th, 1997,  

the police went to visit the 53-year-old Barry  Evans at his home. He had reported that his car  

had been stolen the day before. The police  were visiting him to let him know that his  

car had been recovered. It was stated that  his car had been stolen by 3 young men.

However, they were never  able to give him the news.

The police found Barry Evans lying dead on the  floor. A coroner’s report showed that he had  

received a large blow to the head. There was  also a high level of alcohol in his system.  

An open packet of aspirin tablets was found on  the floor. The price tag on the tablets hadn’t  

shown a decimalized price tag. This means that the  packet was issues before 1971. It can be rightly  

assumed that at the time of his death, these  aspiring tablets were at least 26 years old.

Yet it was concluded that Barry  Evans hadn’t consumed these tablets.

As a result, suicide seemed to be  ruled out – though a will was found  

on a table next to his body. It’s been  stated that this will was written a few  

days before he died. There was still the  mystery of the blow to his head. Later,  

an 18-year-old was arrested on suspicion of  being involved in Barry Evans death. However,  

due to insufficient evidence this individual  was released. This individual stated that he  

had visited Barry Evans on the day of  his death and left the house at 3am.

Barry Evans’ home had also been robbed and  his credit cards were stolen and his phone  

line had been cut. It has been suggested that  Barry Evans had made a call at 5am on the day  

of his death and that it was he who cut the  phone lines. It’s also known that he had  

taken to drinking heavily and often in the days  leading to his death. So was his death a suicide  

or a murder? Was the car theft just bad luck  or was he a target by these gang of young men?

The death of Barry Evans, 26 years later,  

remains a mystery to this day. What  Happened to Barry Evans the Night He Died?

Daniel Ward is writing a biography of the  actor. Perhaps we’ll soon have our answers.

His career sadly ended before he  wanted and from playing a taxi driver,  

he actually had to become one.  But let’s reflect upon his great  

career and go back to watch his great  performances in film and television.

Are you a fan of Barry Evans? Did  you know about the tragic details  

of his career decline and his mysterious death?

In fact, here’s what we’d like to hear from you:

Do you think that actors today  have a lot more chances to  

re-invent themselves and prolong their careers?

Or is the film and television industry  just as ruthless as its always been?