Career
Townsend began a film career in 1944, appearing in minor roles in several films. By 1946, she was appearing on the cover of magazines, and in 1947 was signed to a contract by 20th Century Fox. She was the subject of a cover story for Life in 1948, which discussed the way in which major studios groomed and manufactured their stars, using Townsend"s story as an example.
The studio created a photographic calendar for her, to "put face in every home, office and barracks in America all year around." Hedda Hopper was also quoted as saying that Townsend was "going places."
She played a featured role in the film The Walls of Jericho (1948), and was billed third behind Dan Dailey and Celeste Holm in Chicken Every Sunday (1949).
Her biggest success was in the 1950 film When Willie Comes Marching Home, in which she was paired with Dan Dailey. Again.. Pioneers (1950) provided her with her first lead role.
Colleen was part of the groundbreaking on that location. Townsend, now billed as "Colleen Evans", returned to films briefly, starring in two films produced by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Oiltown, United States.A. (1950) and Souls in Conflict (1955).
Thereafter she dedicated herself to humanitarian work, specifically in relation to racial or religious discrimination, human rights, and in furthering the role of women in society.
She served as the first female chair of the Billy Graham Crusade in 1986. As "Colleen Townsend Evans" she is the author of several books Colleen and Louie had four children.
Colleen and Louie retired to Bass Lake, California.
After 58 1/2 years of marriage, Louie died in 2008 of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis . Colleen now resides in Fresno, California.