Bill Owen
Acting
Born: March 14, 1914 · Acton, London, England, UK
Died: July 12, 1999 (aged 85)
Highest Rated
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
O Lucky Man!
1973
Carry On Sergeant
1958
Carry On Cabby
1963
The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men
1952
Carry On Nurse
1959
Carry On Regardless
1961
Georgy Girl
1966
Tales of the Unexpected
1979
Last of the Summer Wine
1973
The Comeback
1978
The Way to the Stars
1945
Carve Her Name with Pride
1958
Photos (1)
Movies (46)
The Weaker Sex
Soldier with Chicken
Carry On Nurse
Percy "Perc" Hickson
O Lucky Man!
Supt. Barlow / Insp. Carding
The Comeback
Mr. B
Carry On Regardless
Mike Weston
The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men
Stutely
Breathing Space
(uncredited)
Carry On Sergeant
Corporal Bill Copping
Carve Her Name with Pride
NCO Instructor
The Entertainer
Billy Rice
The Rainbow Jacket
Sam
Georgy Girl
Ted
Carry On Cabby
"Smiley" Sims
That's Carry On!
Corporal Bill Copping (archive footage) (uncredited)
School for Secrets
Paratroop Sergeant (as Bill Rowbotham)
Trottie True
Joe Jugg
On the Fiddle
Cpl. Gittens
The Way to the Stars
Sgt. 'Nobby' Clarke
The Ship That Died of Shame
Birdie
My Brother's Keeper
Syd Evans
The Hellfire Club
Martin
A Day to Remember
Shorty Sharpe
The Square Ring
Happy Burns
Hotel Sahara
Private Binns
The Secret of Blood Island
George Bludgin
Royal Variety Performance 1984
Compo
The Funny Side of Christmas
Compo
Dancing with Crime
Dave Robinson
Once a Jolly Swagman
Lag Gibbon
Kiss Me, Kate
Gangster
The Shakedown
David Spettigue
In Celebration
Mr. Shaw
The Fighting Prince of Donegal
Officer Powell
Laughterhouse
Amos
Trouble in the Air
1948
Diamond City
Pinto
What's a Carry On?
Corporal Bill Copping / Perc Hickson / Mike Weston (archive footage) (uncredited)
Easy Money
Mr. Lee
Daybreak
Ron
Getting Sam Home
Compo Simmonite
A City Reborn
1945
Davy
Eric
Not So Dusty
1956
There Was a Young Lady
Joe
The Girl Who Couldn't Quite
Tim
Last of the Summer Wine: Uncle of the Bride
Compo
TV Shows (17)
Last of the Summer Wine
Compo (archive footage) · 1 eps
Last of the Summer Wine
Compo · 173 eps
ITV Saturday Night Theatre
Mr. Hanley · 1 eps
ITV Playhouse
Mr Milner · 1 eps
Tales of the Unexpected
Meakins · 1 eps
Thirty-Minute Theatre
Henry Jay · 1 eps
Performance
Billy Rice · 1 eps
Angels
1 eps
Blankety Blank
1 eps
The Buccaneers
Clip West · 1 eps
Noel's House Party
Compo · 1 eps
Man in a Suitcase
1 eps
Catweazle
Pickle · 1 eps
Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads?
George Chambers · 4 eps
Half Hour Story
R.J.Smellies · 1 eps
Shirley's World
1 eps
Armchair Theatre
Ray · 1 eps
