Known For
Acting
Born
Mar 14, 1914
Died
Jul 12, 1999
Place of Birth
Acton, London, England, UK
Credits
85 titles
Bill Owen
Biography
British born actor known for playing working class characters on film and TV. Born William Rowbotham, the son of a tram driver and laundress, he started playing drums in London nightclubs and toured music halls with his own cabaret act to pay for acting classes. He entertained at Butlin's holiday camps and performed in repertory, joining the Unity Theatre where he attained respect as a stage producer. His career was interrupted by military service with the Royal Army Ordinance Corps where he was injured in an explosion during a battle training course. Returning to acting, he started making a name for himself in such films as Johnny in the Clouds (1945), When the Bough Breaks (1947), Maniacs on Wheels (1949), and The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men (1952). He continued to perform in the theatre limelight and peaked in roles with Katharine Hepburn in "As You Like It" in 1950, and with "The Threepenny Opera" and "The Mikado", which made use of his musical talents. A writer at heart, he penned songs, musicals and plays over the years. Partnered with Mike Sammes, he wrote songs recorded by Pat Boone, Harry Secombe, Engelbert Humperdinck and Sir Cliff Richard, who had a hit with his 1980 song "Marianne". In the 60s he produced the stage musical, "The Matchgirl", and focused heavily on film slapstick with the 'Carry On' series. TV stardom came late, in the role of Compo in the BBC's 1973 series "Last of the Summer Wine". When he died of pancreatic cancer in 1999, he asked to be buried in the Yorkshire village of Holmfirth, where the TV series was filmed. Owen was awarded the MBE in 1976 for his steadfast work for the National Association of Boys Clubs and for his role as chairman of the Performing Arts Advising Panel.
Known For
Filmography
Last Of The Summer Wine: 30 Years Of Laughs
Self (archive)
The Funny Blokes of British Comedy
Compo Simmonite (archive footage) (uncredited)
What's a Carry On?
Corporal Bill Copping / Perc Hickson / Mike Weston (archive footage) (uncredited)
Smillie's People
Self
The Entertainer
Billy Rice
Noel's House Party
Compo
Performance
Billy Rice
Last of the Summer Wine: Big Day At Dream Acres
Compo
Last of the Summer Wine: Uncle of the Bride
Compo
Royal Variety Performance 1984
Compo
Laughterhouse
Amos
Getting Sam Home
Compo Simmonite
The Funny Side of Christmas
Compo
The Kids International Show
Compo
Tales of the Unexpected
Meakins
Blankety Blank
Last of the Summer Wine Christmas Specials 1978-1982
Compo
The Comeback
Mr. B
That's Carry On!
Corporal Bill Copping (archive footage) (uncredited)
The Val Doonican Music Show
Self
Angels
In Celebration
Mr. Shaw
Away from It All
Robert
O Lucky Man!
Supt. Barlow / Insp. Carding
Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads?
George Chambers
Last of the Summer Wine
Compo (archive footage)
Late Night Theatre
William
Shirley's World
Coppers End
Sgt. Sam Short
Unfair!
Worker
Catweazle
Pickle
Mischief
ITV Saturday Night Theatre
Mr. Hanley
Treasure Island
Billy Bones
Headline Hunters
Cilla
Self
Man in a Suitcase
ITV Playhouse
Mr Milner
Half Hour Story
R.J.Smellies
The Fighting Prince of Donegal
Officer Powell
Georgy Girl
Ted
Thirty-Minute Theatre
Henry Jay
The Secret of Blood Island
George Bludgin
Kiss Me, Kate
Gangster
The Last Word on Julie
Ray
Taxi!
Fred Cuddel
Taxi!
Fred Cuddell
Carry On Cabby
"Smiley" Sims
On the Fiddle
Cpl. Gittens
Carry On Regardless
Mike Weston