Think Captain America is as tattoo-free as he appears in the movies? Think again. In October 2020, fans were shook when Avengers star Chris Evans posted an Instagram Story [1] of himself backflipping into a pool, exposing his tat-covered torso, but the actor has also secretly been hiding away several tattoos since the beginning of his career.
As he said during a June 2014 interview with Hot Hits Live From LA [2], "I'm all for tattoos, but just somewhere they can be hidden." While most of his ink is covered up by the iconic Captain America suit in all of his Marvel films, some of Evans's real tattoos have made cinematic debuts in other movies such as Puncture and Cellular.
After the Instagram Story frenzy, the news of Evans' secret tattoos slowly faded but later reignited in March of 2021, when Evans and his brother did a virtual interview with Ace Universe [3]. Fans noticed that Evans had multiple chest tattoos peeking out from under his white tank top. Afterward, many people tweeted that the interview [4] was a perfect reminder that Evans not only has tattoos, but specifically multiple chest tattoos.
Though they're often covered by makeup or hidden beneath clothes, here's everything we know about the actor's not-so-secret collection of body art.
Chris Evans' Eagle Tattoo
Though it's hard to make out all the tattoos displayed on Evans' torso in his October 2020 Instagram story [6], the most visible one appears to be an eagle on his chest. It's unclear when he got the tat, but his go-to tattoo guy, Josh Lord, seemingly alluded to it [7] during a January 2019 interview with Revolver. "We are now going to start on a whole big new chest piece for him, which I probably should wait for him to reveal the details, but I'm very excited," Lord said. "He's got a really cool idea that I can't wait to do." Fans think the eagle could be a nod to his Marvel character, Captain America.
Chris Evans' Eckhart Tolle Quote Tattoo
During a shirtless [8] photoshoot for Details in 2012, Evans gave fans a glimpse at the Eckhart Tolle quote on his chest. During an August 2013 Q&A for Spreecast, Evans explained the meaning behind the cryptic quote [9]. "Eckhart has a quote from his book called Stillness Speaks that just really resonated with me, enough to permanently ink my body, and it says: 'When you lose touch with inner stillness, you lose touch with yourself. When you lose touch with yourself, you lose yourself in the world.' And it just made so much sense to me, still does, always will," he said.
Chris Evans' Dodger Tattoo
Along with the eagle and Eckhart Tolle tattoos, Evans got the name of his beloved rescue dog [10], Dodger, inked on his chest. During an October 2020 appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Evans revealed that he's had the piece for "a few years now," and he decided to get the tribute "not long" after bringing Dodger home. "That's probably one of the purest relationships I have so I'll never regret that tattoo," Evans added. "I've regretted a few in my life, but not that one." According to Evans, he named the pup after a character in Oliver & Company, which was one of his favourite movies growing up.
Chris Evans' Taurus Tattoo
On his left bicep, Evans has a Taurus symbol, which depicts a bull with horns. He shows off the tattoo in his 2004 movie, Cellular, and during a September 2004 interview with USA Today, Evans revealed that the tattoo is an homage to his mother [11], Lisa Evans, whose zodiac sign is Taurus.
Chris Evans' Chinese Character Tattoo
On his right bicep, Evans used to have a Chinese character [12], though he has since had the piece removed (probably because it was often visible when he wore T-shirts). According to his 2004 interview with USA Today, the symbol translated to "family."
Chris Evans' Loyalty Tattoo
Cellular isn't the only movie where Evans showed off his real-life ink. Though not all the tattoos seen on Evans' body in 2011's Puncture are real (like, for instance, the skull tattoo on his right arm), the small line of text above that skull tattoo is real. That tattoo reads "loyalty," and you can get a better look at the tattoo [13] in Evans' campaign for Gucci's Guilty fragrance. Evans has never explained the meaning behind the tattoo, but it likely has something to do with family [14]. As he said of his tattoos during a May 2012 interview with Glamour, "They're pretty much all for family. Opinions change, people grow, but I think as long as they're rooted in the family, I'll probably never regret them."
Chris Evans' Matt Bardsley Tattoo
In Puncture, you can also get a look at the tattoo on Evans' ribcage, which reads: "In Loving Memory, Bardsley, With Me Always." Evans got the tattoo as a tribute to his late friend [15] Matt Bardsley, who died in an off-roading accident back in November 2003, according to his 2004 USA Today interview.
Chris Evans' "SCS" Tattoo
Perhaps the hardest tattoo to spot is the one on the back of Evans' right ankle, which reads "SCS," for his three siblings: Scott, Carly, and Shanna [19], according to his 2004 USA Today interview.