Who was Josh Ryan Evans? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: Joshua Ryan Evans

Died At Age: 20

Family:

father: Chuck Evans

mother: Cheryl Evans

Died Young Actors

Height: 0.97 m

Died on: August 5, 2002

place of death: San Diego, California, United States

Diseases & Disabilities: Dwarfism, Achondroplasia

Cause of Death: Complications Related To A Congenital Heart Condition

U.S. State: California

Recommended For You

Recommended Lists:

Short Male Celebrities

Childhood & Early Life

Evans was born on January 10, 1982, in Hayward, California, to Cheryl and Chuck Evans. His parents divorced later. Josh had two elder brothers – Timothy Michael, (born December, 1971) who died in 1980. His second brother is James L. Evans (born December 1972).

Evans suffered from achondroplacia, a type of dwarfism caused by a genetic condition that constrains cartilage growth and physical development. He also had congenital heart problem and before reaching his teen years, he underwent three heart operations. As a child, while recovering from the surgeries at hospitals or home, he spent most of his time watching movies and TV shows. Watching TV provided him a total escape and took him away from his problems. This inspired him to pursue acting as a profession. He believed that if he could help provide that escape to just one person, it would be great way to spend his life.

At the age of 12, he printed his own business cards and in 1994, contacted an agent without informing his parents. He soon booked an assignment and appeared in ‘The Dancing Baby’ commercial for ‘Dreyer’s/Edy’s Ice Cream.’ The commercial became very popular and won ‘Cloe Award.’

Continue Reading Below

Recommended Lists:

Capricorn Actors

American Actors

American Film & Theater Personalities

Capricorn Men

Career

The popularity of the commercial brought him TV and film offers. He made his TV debut in two Halloween episodes of the sitcom ‘Family Matters’ (1996-1997), in which he played the role of ‘Stevil.’ In 1998, he essayed the part of a child prodigy attorney, ‘Oren Koolie,’ in two episodes of ‘Fox’s’ legal comedy drama ‘Ally McBeal,’ wherein he confronted the main character, played by Calista Flockhart.

Evans landed his first feature film role in ‘Columbia Pictures/ Tristar’s’ ‘Baby Geniuses’ (1999), in which he appeared as a toddler. He played the main role of ‘General Tom Thumb,’ the dwarf circus performer, in the ‘Arts & Entertainment’ cable presentation miniseries, ‘P.T. Barnum’ (1999). He appeared as ‘Adam’ in 1999’s TV drama series ‘7th Heaven,’ and provided voice for ‘Showtime’s’ ‘Poltergeist: The Legacy,’ and ‘Nickelodeon’s animated TV series ‘Hey, Arnold!’

In 2000, Evans appeared in the feature film ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’ and essayed the role of ‘Young Grinch’ (Adult Grinch was portrayed by Jim Carrey). Evans enjoyed this role, though the make-up of ‘young Grinch’ took almost 5 ½ hours, two hours more than Jim Carrey’s make-up. He also liked working with the film’s director, Ron Howard, who is a former child star. According to Howard, Evans’ role was originally planned as only a small walk-on part as a funny, green creature that is a classroom misfit, but the role changed after the director met Evans. In Howard’s words, ‘Evans generated a lot of heart for the story.’

Evans became famous for the role of a living doll, ‘Timmy Lenox,’ in the ‘NBC’ soap opera, ‘Passions’ (July 1999 – August 2002). This was an unusual role of a doll created by resident witch, ‘Tabitha Lenox,’ who later, (by the winter episodes of the series), turns the doll into a real boy. His was the most popular and memorable character of the show. Evans received a number of awards and nominations for his portrayal of ‘Timmy’ in ‘Passions.’

Awards & Achievements

In 2000 and 2001, Evans won two consecutive ‘Soap Opera Digest Awards,’ first for ‘Favorite Scene Stealer’ and then the next year as ‘Outstanding Male Scene Stealer’ for his portrayal of ‘Timmy’ in the series ‘Passions.’

In 2001, he was nominated for ‘Daytime Emmy Award’ for ‘Outstanding Younger Actor’ for his role in ‘Passions.’ In 2000, the same role fetched him nomination for ‘Young Artist Award’ for ‘Best Performance in a Soap Opera – Young Actor.’ In the same year, Evans won a ‘Hollywood Reporters’ YoungStar Award’ for ‘Best Young Actor/performance in a Daytime TV Series.’ He received the ‘Vision Award’ in 2001.

Personal Life & Death

Because of his genetic condition of achondroplasia, Evans was 3 feet 2 inches tall. But he considered his size as an asset. According to him, because of his size, people wrote roles for him. If he was to be just another blonde-haired, brown-eyed 18 years old, he would have been left unrecognized.

Evans had a congenital heart condition. He passed away on August 5, 2002, during a medical procedure, in a San Diego Hospital, California. A strange coincidence happened on the day he died - the episode of ‘Passions’ in which his character ‘Timmy’ dies after donating his heart to ‘Charity’ was aired on the same day. This episode was taped weeks earlier and his character was supposed to return to the series as a ‘Presence.’ This episode was dedicated to him.

Evans was cremated and his ashes rest at the ‘Forest Lawn Memorial Park,’ Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles, California.

Josh Ryan Evans Biography