For a bloke best known for playing Captain America, Chris Evans spends a surprising amount of time trying to convince everyone he's actually a massive idiot. Between accidentally leaking photos, getting hopelessly distracted by his dog and generally behaving like somebody's slightly chaotic mate, it's easy to forget that he's spent the last twenty years becoming one of Hollywood's most likeable leading men.
Long before he was carrying a vibranium shield and giving motivational speeches to superheroes, Evans was popping up in teen comedies and action films, gradually building a reputation as a reliable screen presence. But everything changed when Marvel handed him the role of Steve Rogers. The funny thing was, Chris initially didn't even want the part. The pressure terrified him so much that he turned it down several times before finally being persuaded to accept.
Thankfully, because it's now impossible to imagine anyone else playing Captain America. Across more than a decade of Marvel films, Evans transformed what could have been a painfully earnest character into the beating heart of the Avengers. While everyone else was arguing, blowing things up or turning green, Steve Rogers was usually the bloke trying to keep everybody sane. Which, let's face it, is basically what every friend group needs.
But one of the reasons Evans has lasted so long is because he's never been afraid to laugh at himself. He's happily bounced between murder mysteries, animated films, action adventures and comedies, proving that he's far more than just the bloke with the shield. In Knives Out, he somehow managed to steal scenes wearing chunky knit jumpers and insulting everyone in sight. Honestly, very few people have ever looked so effortlessly cool while being such an absolute menace.
Off-screen, Chris has earned a reputation as one of the genuinely decent blokes in Hollywood. He adores his dog Dodger, spends an alarming amount of time being wholesome on social media and somehow gives off the impression that he'd happily help you move house if you asked nicely.
• Chris turned down the role of Captain America multiple times because he worried fame would completely change his life. Robert Downey Jr. and his family eventually helped convince him to take the job. Somewhere, Marvel fans owe them a pint.
• His rescue dog, Dodger, has become almost as famous as he is. Chris adopted him while filming Gifted, and the pair have been inseparable ever since.
• During filming of Knives Out, Chris's collection of chunky jumpers caused almost as much excitement online as the actual murder mystery. Which is probably not something costume designers learn about at university.
Chris Evans has somehow achieved the impossible. He's one of the biggest stars on the planet, yet still comes across like the bloke who'd apologise after you bumped into him. Whether he's saving the world, solving murders or just posting photos of his dog, he has a warmth and charm that's incredibly difficult to fake. And honestly, cinema could do with a few more Captain Americas and a few less supervillains.
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