He was best known for making such classics as Rosemary’s Baby, The Godfather and Chinatown while production chief at Paramount Pictures in the 60’s and 70’s.
Gulf+Western’s Charles Bluhdorn hired Evans as head of production as part of a major shakeup at Paramount Pictures, which yielded such major hits as Barefoot in the Park, The Odd Couple, Rosemary’s Baby, The Italian Job, True Grit, Love Story, Harold and Maude, The Godfather, The Godfather Part II, Serpico, The Conversation, Chinatown and The Great Gatsby.
He got his start as a producer by purchasing the movie rights to The Detective to star Frank Sinatra.