Fred Evans comedian

Frederick William Evans (1889–1951) was a British music hall and silent film comedian best known for his character Pimple in over 200 short films. He gained fame around World War I and was described as "second only in popularity to Chaplin in Britain" with a humor akin to Monty Python. Born in London into a family of performers, Evans began performing as a child alongside his brother Joe in their parents' pantomime act, the Florador Quartet. He later worked in music halls and circuses before transitioning to film in 1910, initially portraying the character Charley Smiler. In 1912, Evans and his brother founded Folly Films, creating the Pimple character after legal disputes over Charley Smiler. Pimple, a hapless clown, became the centerpiece of their films, which often spoofed popular movies, plays, and novels. Notable parodies include *Pimple's Battle of Waterloo* (1913), which mocked the epic film *The Battle of Waterloo*, and *Pimple in 'The Whip'* (1917), featuring pantomime horses. The films were hugely successful in Britain, with six titles produced monthly by 1915, though most are now lost. Evans promoted his films through national tours and live performances, including wartime Army campaigns. However, his popularity declined after World War I, leading to bankruptcy in 1920. He continued performing in revues with his family, worked as a film extra, and reunited with Joe during World War II for puppet shows. Evans died in 1951 after a circus performance. His selected filmography includes *Charley Smiler Joins the Boy Scouts* (1911), *Pimple's Wonderful ...