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Bill Owen
Actor

Bill Owen

14 Mar 1914Born
12 Jul 1999Died
85Age at death
79Credits

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.

Read the full biography

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

  1. 2005The Funny Blokes of British ComedyFilm: Compo Simmonite (archive footage) (uncredited)
  2. 1998What's a Carry On?Film: Corporal Bill Copping / Perc Hickson / Mike Weston (archive footage) (uncredited)
  3. 1993The EntertainerFilm: Billy Rice
  4. 1991Noel's House PartySeries: Compo (1 episode)
  5. 1991PerformanceSeries: Billy Rice (1 episode)
  6. 1987Last of the Summer Wine: Big Day at Dream AcresFilm: Compo
  7. 1986Last of the Summer Wine: Uncle of the BrideFilm: Compo
  8. 1984Royal Variety Performance 1984Film: Compo
  9. 1984LaughterhouseFilm: Amos
  10. 1983Last of the Summer Wine: Getting Sam HomeFilm: Compo Simmonite
  11. 1982The Funny Side of ChristmasFilm: Compo
  12. 1982The Kids International ShowSeries: Compo (1 episode)
  13. 1979Tales of the UnexpectedSeries: Meakins (1 episode)
  14. 1979Blankety BlankSeries (1 episode)
  15. 1978Last of the Summer Wine Christmas Specials 1978-1982Film: Compo
  16. 1978The ComebackFilm: Mr. B
  17. 1977That's Carry On!Film: Corporal Bill Copping (archive footage) (uncredited)
  18. 1975AngelsSeries (1 episode)
  19. 1975In CelebrationFilm: Mr. Shaw
  20. 1973Away from It AllSeries: Robert (1 episode)
  21. 1973O Lucky Man!Film: Supt. Barlow / Insp. Carding
  22. 1973Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads?Series: George Chambers (4 episodes)
  23. 1973Last of the Summer WineSeries: Compo (archive footage) (1 episode)
  24. 1972Late Night TheatreSeries: William (1 episode)
  25. 1972Shirley's WorldSeries (1 episode)
  26. 1971Coppers EndSeries: Sgt. Sam Short (13 episodes)
  27. 1970Unfair!Film: Worker
  28. 1970CatweazleSeries: Pickle (1 episode)
  29. 1969MischiefFilm
  30. 1969ITV Saturday Night TheatreSeries: Mr. Hanley (1 episode)
  31. 1968Treasure IslandSeries: Billy Bones (9 episodes)
  32. 1968Headline HuntersFilm
  33. 1967Man in a SuitcaseSeries (1 episode)
  34. 1967ITV PlayhouseSeries: Mr Milner (1 episode)
  35. 1967Half Hour StorySeries: R.J.Smellies (1 episode)
  36. 1966The Fighting Prince of DonegalFilm: Officer Powell
  37. 1966Georgy GirlFilm: Ted
  38. 1965Thirty-Minute TheatreSeries: Henry Jay (1 episode)
  39. 1964The Secret of Blood IslandFilm: George Bludgin
  40. 1964Kiss Me, KateFilm: Gangster
  41. 1964The Last Word on JulieFilm: Ray
  42. 1963Taxi!Series: Fred Cuddell (26 episodes)
  43. 1963Carry On CabbyFilm: "Smiley" Sims
  44. 1961On the FiddleFilm: Cpl. Gittens
  45. 1961Carry On RegardlessFilm: Mike Weston
  46. 1961Drama 61-67Series: Bailey (1 episode)
  47. 1961The Hellfire ClubFilm: Martin
  48. 1960The ShakedownFilm: David Spettigue
  49. 1959Carry On NurseFilm: Percy "Perc" Hickson
  50. 1958Carry On SergeantFilm: Corporal Bill Copping
  51. 1958Carve Her Name with PrideFilm: NCO Instructor
  52. 1958DavyFilm: Eric
  53. 1956The BuccaneersSeries: Clip West (1 episode)
  54. 1956Armchair TheatreSeries: Ray (1 episode)
  55. 1956Not So DustyFilm
  56. 1955The Ship That Died of ShameFilm: Birdie
  57. 1954The Rainbow JacketFilm: Sam
  58. 1953A Day to RememberFilm: Shorty Sharpe
  59. 1953The Square RingFilm: Happy Burns
  60. 1953There Was a Young LadyFilm: Joe
  61. 1952The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie MenFilm: Stutely
  62. 1951Sherlock HolmesSeries: Inspector Lestrade (6 episodes)
  63. 1951Hotel SaharaFilm: Private Binns
  64. 1950The Girl Who Couldn't QuiteFilm: Tim
  65. 1949Trottie TrueFilm: Joe Jugg
  66. 1949Diamond CityFilm: Pinto
  67. 1949Once a Jolly SwagmanFilm: Lag Gibbon
  68. 1948Trouble in the AirFilm
  69. 1948The Weaker SexFilm: Soldier with Chicken
  70. 1948My Brother's KeeperFilm: Syd Evans
  71. 1948DaybreakFilm: Ron
  72. 1948Easy MoneyFilm: Mr. Lee
  73. 1947When The Bough BreaksFilm: Bill Collins
  74. 1947Dancing with CrimeFilm: Dave Robinson
  75. 1946School for SecretsFilm: Paratroop Sergeant (as Bill Rowbotham)
  76. 1945The Way to the StarsFilm: Sgt. 'Nobby' Clarke
  77. 1945A City RebornFilm
  78. 1943Breathing SpaceFilm: (uncredited)
  79. 1941Tank PatrolFilm: Geordie

Biography and credits from TMDB. This website uses TMDB and the TMDB APIs but is not endorsed, certified, or otherwise approved by TMDB.