Those with long enough memories will recall the regular TV appearances, stand-up shows, and occasional film roles that made him a household name.
Though Lee Evans was far from a studio audience, he was in good company for a rare public appearance in London on Tuesday.
The comedian, 59, was joined by his wife Heather Nudds at The Delaunay restaurant in Covent Garden, where the pair made their first appearance together in five years.
Apparently in good spirits, he waved to onlookers as he exited the venue in a chic two-piece suit, plimsolls and a blue beanie.
The reclusive Evans was last seen in public, albeit without his wife, in 2021 while out on a bike ride in Essex.
Exit: Comedian Lee Evans and his wife Heather Nudds made their first public appearance in five years on Tuesday when they dined in London
Upbeat: Apparently in high spirits, he waved to onlookers as he exited the venue in a chic two-piece suit, plimsolls and a blue beanie
The comedian shocked fans in 2014 when he announced he was retiring from stand-up comedy to spend more time with his wife Heather Nudds and their daughter Mollie.
Evans briefly came out of retirement in 2018 to appear in the play Pinter Three while he was in the play Wither would you go? occurred. the year before.
He also walked the red carpet at the premiere of the film Kenny in Liverpool in 2017, although his time in the spotlight was limited to that.
During an appearance on The Jonathan Ross Show in 2014, he confirmed his retirement from stand-up comedy and admitted that the death of his manager Addison Cresswell “put things in perspective”.
He said: “I don’t know, I’ve gotten to a point in my life where – forgive me, it sounds very narcissistic – I’ve done musicals, plays and films and I’ve stood up, and you kind of get to a point .” Where are you going? “I don’t know what to do next.”
“I want to visit my wife, she deserves my time, I’ve done solid work.”
Ross asked how much longer he wanted to keep the job, to which he replied, “I’m done.” That’s it…
‘Complete. This is the end. I’m not doing anything.’
Before: Evans and Nudds enjoy a night out at the Groucho Club where he celebrated the release of his book The Life Of Lee in September 2011
There he is: Evans was in London for a romantic meal with his wife at Covent Garden restaurant The Delaunay
Old times: In addition to stand-up comedy, Evans made a brief foray into mainstream acting, with prominent roles in the 1998 comedy There’s Something About Mary (pictured: LR Ben Stiller, Matt Dillon, Cameron Diaz, Chris Elliott and Lee Evans).
He continued, “All I ever did was work and Addison would always put his arm around me and say, ‘Don’t worry, I’ll take care of you. It’s okay.”
“My dad used to say to me, ‘You have to work,’ so I kept working and doing comedy tours all the time.
“I think I’ve ignored my wife for far too long and want to spend a lot more time with her.”
In addition to stand-up comedy, Evans made a brief foray into mainstream acting, with prominent roles in the comedy There’s Something About Mary (1998), in which he starred opposite Ben Stiller and Cameron Diaz, and in Science -Fiction epic The Fifth Element (1995) starring Bruce Willis and Gary Oldman.
According to The Richest, Evan’s net worth in 2021 is estimated to be around £5.6million.
Don’t mind me: The reclusive Evans was last seen in public in 2021, albeit without his wife, while out on a bike ride in Essex
The Life and Career of Lee Evans
1964: Lee is born in Bristol to Irish mother Shirley and Welsh father Dave
1975: The family moves to Essex
Late 1970s: Lee moves to Yorkshire and becomes the drummer for the punk rock band The Forgotten Five
1981: Lee meets Heather at a fairground in Billericay
1983: The couple ties the knot
1990s: Lee rises to fame for his high-energy performances.
1993: He won the Perrier Comedy Award for his work at the Edinburgh Festival
1995: Lee makes his acting debut in Funny Bones and two years later stars in The Fifth Element and Mouse Hunt.
2004: He makes his stage debut in Endgame and The Producers
2005: Lee broke the world record for a solo performance in front of the largest comedy audience – 10,108 people at the Manchester Arena
2008: During his major tour, he performed in front of over 500,000 people on 59 dates. The tour’s DVD sold 1 million copies
2011: His record-breaking 67-date UK Roadrunner tour sold 911,000 DVDs and 733,000 tickets. The tour will bring in £12.9million
2014: Lee announces his retirement
