Robert Evans

The Maverick Who Rebuilt Paramount and Reshaped New Hollywood

Robert Evans (1930–2019) was one of the most iconic and controversial figures in the history of Hollywood filmmaking. Best known for his tenure as head of Paramount Pictures during its creative and financial resurgence in the late 1960s and 1970s, Evans was a larger-than-life personality whose impact on cinema was matched only by his colourful personal life. With a mix of flair, business savvy, and an unerring sense for talent, Evans helped produce or oversee some of the most enduring films of the 20th century.

From Actor to Executive

Born Robert J. Shapera in New York City in 1930, Evans began his career not behind the camera but in front of it. He worked as a radio actor and then dabbled in modelling and business before catching the attention of actress Norma Shearer, who saw him at a Beverly Hills hotel and recommended him to play her late husband Irving Thalberg in Man of a Thousand Faces (1957).

Evans appeared in a handful of films, including The Sun Also Rises (1957) and The Fiend Who Walked the West (1958), but his acting was often panned by critics. He quickly realized his talents were better suited to the business side of filmmaking. In the early 1960s, he transitioned into producing and eventually became a studio executive—where he would leave an indelible mark on American cinema.

Reviving Paramount Pictures

In 1966, Robert Evans was appointed head of production at Paramount Pictures—a decision that shocked many in Hollywood. At the time, Paramount was a struggling studio, ranking last among the major studios. Evans, with no prior experience running a studio, was an unlikely choice. But within a few short years, he had orchestrated one of the greatest comebacks in studio history.

Evans revamped Paramount’s production slate and took bold risks on filmmakers and stories that would come to define the New Hollywood era. He had a keen eye for scripts with cultural resonance and a knack for managing egos and extracting greatness from artists.

A String of Iconic Films

Under Evans’ leadership, Paramount released a string of ground-breaking and critically acclaimed films that not only became box office hits but also redefined what American cinema could be:

Rosemary’s Baby (1968) – Directed by Roman Polanski, this psychological horror classic was a box office success and helped redefine horror for a more modern, sophisticated audience.

Love Story (1970) – A romantic drama that became a cultural phenomenon and one of the highest-grossing films of its time.

The Godfather (1972) – Evans championed the adaptation of Mario Puzo’s novel and backed Francis Ford Coppola as director, despite studio hesitation. The result was one of the most acclaimed films in history.

Chinatown (1974) – Produced by Evans and directed by Roman Polanski, this neo-noir masterpiece became a landmark in 1970s cinema, earning 11 Academy Award nominations and solidifying Jack Nicholson’s stardom.

The Conversation (1974) – Another Coppola-directed film, it showed Evans' support for complex, auteur-driven storytelling.

These films, among others, helped make Paramount the most successful studio of the early 1970s and established Evans as a visionary producer and executive.

The Art of the Deal: Evans’ Style

Robert Evans was not a traditional studio head. He brought glamour, risk-taking, and personality to the role in a way that mirrored the changing times of 1970s Hollywood. He cultivated close relationships with directors, writers, and actors and positioned himself as both a creative partner and savvy dealmaker.

Evans once described producing as “finding the right book, hiring the right director, and getting the hell out of the way.” His genius lay in packaging projects with the right talent and trusting filmmakers to deliver.

He also understood the importance of marketing and media, often cultivating intrigue around his films and himself. His personal life—marked by high-profile romances, parties, and celebrity friendships—became part of his mystique.

Turbulence and Comebacks

Evans stepped down from Paramount in 1974 to become an independent producer under a studio deal. His production company released several successful films, including:

Marathon Man (1976)

Urban Cowboy (1980)

Popeye (1980)

However, his career hit turbulence in the 1980s. He was linked to the notorious "Cotton Club" production scandal, and his reputation suffered due to his association with drugs and excess. His legal troubles, including a guilty plea for cocaine possession, sidelined him from the industry for several years.

Reinvention and Legacy

In the 1990s, Robert Evans re-emerged as a cultural figure. He published his memoir, The Kid Stays in the Picture (1994), which became a cult classic and was later adapted into a critically acclaimed 2002 documentary of the same name. The title referred to a legendary line spoken by studio head Darryl F. Zanuck when others wanted to fire Evans from The Sun Also Rises—“The kid stays in the picture.”

The documentary reignited interest in Evans’ life and career, portraying him as a flawed but fascinating figure who embodied the excess, energy, and ambition of Hollywood itself.

Until his death in 2019, Evans remained a beloved figure in industry circles, known for his storytelling, charm, and relentless passion for film.

Conclusion

Robert Evans was a Hollywood original—part mogul, part artist, part myth. His career was a rollercoaster of triumphs and setbacks, but through it all, he left behind a body of work that helped shape the direction of American cinema. From The Godfather to Chinatown, his fingerprints are on some of the most important films ever made.

In many ways, Evans was the story of New Hollywood: brash, bold, messy, and brilliant. His legacy is not just in the movies he produced, but in the way he helped redefine what a movie producer could be.