Darien Evans, better known by his stage name, Darien Sills-Evans, is an American
actor
An actor or actress is a person who portrays a character in a performance. The actor performs "in the flesh" in the traditional medium of the theatre or in modern media such as film, radio, and television. The analogous Greek term is (), li ...
,
writer
A writer is a person who uses written words in different writing styles and techniques to communicate ideas. Writers produce different forms of literary art and creative writing such as novels, short stories, books, poetry, travelogues, p ...
,
comedian
A comedian or comic is a person who seeks to entertain an audience by making them laugh. This might be through jokes or amusing
Amusement is the state of experiencing humorous and entertaining events or situations while the person or a ...
, and
director
Director may refer to:
Literature
* ''Director'' (magazine), a British magazine
* ''The Director'' (novel), a 1971 novel by Henry Denker
* ''The Director'' (play), a 2000 play by Nancy Hasty
Music
* Director (band), an Irish rock band
* ''D ...
. He is best known for Darien in ''
Cosby'' (1998-2000), CSU Tech Foster in ''
Third Watch
''Third Watch'' is an American crime drama television series created by John Wells and Edward Allen Bernero that aired on NBC from September 26, 1999, to May 6, 2005, with a total of 132 episodes spanning over six seasons. It was produced by ...
'' (2002-2005) and Andrew in ''
The Reception'' (2005).
Television career
Early in his career, Evans was best known for his television career including playing "Darien" on 17 episodes of the CBS sitcom ''
Cosby'' from 1998 until 2000, and as “Dr. Fields” on the NBC drama ''
Third Watch
''Third Watch'' is an American crime drama television series created by John Wells and Edward Allen Bernero that aired on NBC from September 26, 1999, to May 6, 2005, with a total of 132 episodes spanning over six seasons. It was produced by ...
'' in 22 episodes from 2002 until 2005. Other guest appearances include ''
Law & Order
''Law & Order'' is an American police procedural and legal drama television series created by Dick Wolf and produced by Wolf Entertainment, launching the '' Law & Order'' franchise.
''Law & Order'' aired its entire run on NBC, premiering on ...
'', ''
New York Undercover
''New York Undercover'' is an American Police procedural, police drama that aired on the Fox Broadcasting Company, Fox television network from September 8, 1994, to February 11, 1999. The series starred Malik Yoba as Detective J.C. Williams and ...
'', ''
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit'', ''
The Black Donnellys
''The Black Donnellys'' is an American drama television series that debuted on NBC on February 26, 2007, and last aired on May 14, 2007. Thereafter, NBC began releasing new episodes weekly on NBC.com until the series was canceled. ''The Black D ...
'', and ''
Person of Interest
"Person of interest" is a term used by law enforcement in the United States, Canada, and other countries when identifying someone possibly involved in a criminal investigation who has not been arrested or formally accused of a crime. It has no leg ...
''. More recently, he played "Darnell Nichols" on 8 episodes of ''
Treme'' between 2011 and 2013.
Since at least 2011, Evans has been the national spokesperson for
U.S. Cellular.
Cinema career
Sills-Evans wrote, directed and starred in the 2002 film ''X-Patriots'', a romantic comedy about two black American men who travel to the Netherlands – a place where no one looks like them – in search of self-identity. Dutch media personality
Chimène van Oosterhout was part of the cast in this movie. ''X-Patriots'' was named Best Feature Drama and a Critic's Choice at the Angelciti Film Festival in Chicago, and an official selection at the
Boston Film Festival, the
Newark Black Film Festival
The Newark Black Film Festival (NBFF), held every summer since 1974 at the Newark Museum in Newark, New Jersey, is the longest running Black film festival in the United States. The NBFF focuses on the work and history of African Americans and the ...
and the Sidewalk Film Festival.
He financed the film with money he earned from his appearances on ''
Cosby''.
In 2005, Sills-Evans was associate producer and starred in ''
The Reception'' directed by
John G. Young which had its world premiere at the
Tribeca Film Festival
The Tribeca Festival is an annual film festival organized by TriBeCa Productions, Tribeca Productions. It takes place each spring in New York City, showcasing a diverse selection of film, episodic, talks, music, games, art, and immersive progra ...
. The film subsequently played at numerous festivals in the U.S., including
Outfest
Outfest is an LGBTQ-oriented nonprofit that produces two film festivals, operates a movie streaming platform, and runs educational services for filmmakers in Los Angeles. Outfest is one of the key partners, alongside the Frameline Film Festival ...
in Los Angeles, where Sills-Evans earned a best actor award.
In 2009, co-wrote and produced the feature film ''
Rivers Wash Over Me'' directed by John G. Young (of ''The Reception''). The film became the centerpiece movie of the 2009 NewFest Festival. At the 2009 Outfest in Los Angeles, the leading role actor Derrick L. Middleton in the movie won the Grand Jury Award for "Outstanding Actor in a Feature Film". Darien Sills-Evans also appears in the film in the role of Charles King.
In 2010, Sills-Evans directed the short film, "Dream House", written and produced by
Caytha Jentis
Caytha Jentis is an American writer, producer, director and filmmaker. Jentis' feature films include ''Bad Parents'', '' And Then Came Love'' and the coming out film ''The One'', her directorial debut. She is the creator and director of ''The Othe ...
.
In 2010, Sills-Evans wrote and directed six episodes of "MC Extra Cheese: The 40-Year-Old Rapper" for American Cheesehole Productions. The pilot was nominated for Best Pilot at the 2012 Bannf World Media Festival.
In addition to his entertainment work, Sills-Evans has worked in the industrial video field directing and producing educational titles like ''I Don't Have A Problem: The Path To Addiction'' and ''Student Workshop: Building Character''.
Comedy
Sills-Evans has appeared in comedy venues across the United States. In 2010 he founded Tipsy Hustle, a comedy show and open mic that continues at The Five Spot Soul Food Restaurant in Brooklyn, New York and at The Improv Space in Los Angeles.
In 2014, Sills-Evans began production on RaceMan, a weekly podcast that features comedians - usually persons of color - discussing newsworthy events and pop culture.
Filmography and awards
Director
*2002: ''X-Patriots''
Producer
*2005: ''
The Reception'' - Associate producer
*2009: ''
Rivers Wash Over Me'' - Producer
Actor
References
External links
*
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sills-Evans, Darien
Living people
American male film actors
American male television actors
Year of birth missing (living people)