Bill Owen
Acting
1914 – 1999 · Acton, London, England, UK
64 titres
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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.
Last Of The Summer Wine: 30 Years Of Laughs
Film · 2022
Self (archive)
★ 7.7What's a Carry On?
Film · 1998
Corporal Bill Copping / Perc Hickson / Mike Weston (archive footage) (uncredited)
★ 7.0The Entertainer
Film · 1993
Billy Rice
★ 7.4Noel's House Party
TV series · 1991
Compo
★ 6.3Performance
TV series · 1991
Billy Rice
Last of the Summer Wine: Uncle of the Bride
Film · 1986
Compo
Royal Variety Performance 1984
Film · 1984
Compo
★ 5.8Laughterhouse
Film · 1984
Amos
★ 8.0Getting Sam Home
Film · 1983
Compo Simmonite
The Funny Side of Christmas
Film · 1982
Compo
★ 6.8Tales of the Unexpected
TV series · 1979
Meakins
★ 5.3Blankety Blank
TV series · 1979
Role
★ 5.8The Comeback
Film · 1978
Mr. B
★ 5.8That's Carry On!
Film · 1977
Corporal Bill Copping (archive footage) (uncredited)
★ 4.5Angels
TV series · 1975
Role
★ 5.2In Celebration
Film · 1975
Mr. Shaw
★ 6.8O Lucky Man!
Film · 1973
Supt. Barlow / Insp. Carding
★ 7.7Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads?
TV series · 1973
George Chambers
★ 7.2Last of the Summer Wine
TV series · 1973
Compo (archive footage)
★ 6.0Shirley's World
TV series · 1972
Role
★ 7.5Catweazle
TV series · 1970
Pickle
★ 7.0ITV Saturday Night Theatre
TV series · 1969
Mr. Hanley
★ 7.2Man in a Suitcase
TV series · 1967
Role
★ 7.0ITV Playhouse
TV series · 1967
Mr Milner
★ 7.5Half Hour Story
TV series · 1967
R.J.Smellies
★ 5.6The Fighting Prince of Donegal
Film · 1966
Officer Powell
★ 6.2Georgy Girl
Film · 1966
Ted
★ 4.3Thirty-Minute Theatre
TV series · 1965
Henry Jay
★ 9.0The Secret of Blood Island
Film · 1964
George Bludgin
Kiss Me, Kate
Film · 1964
Gangster
★ 6.4Carry On Cabby
Film · 1963
"Smiley" Sims
★ 5.7On the Fiddle
Film · 1961
Cpl. Gittens
★ 6.2Carry On Regardless
Film · 1961
Mike Weston
★ 5.4The Hellfire Club
Film · 1961
Martin
★ 6.0The Shakedown
Film · 1960
David Spettigue
★ 6.4Carry On Nurse
Film · 1959
Percy "Perc" Hickson
★ 6.4Carry On Sergeant
Film · 1958
Corporal Bill Copping
★ 6.0Carve Her Name with Pride
Film · 1958
NCO Instructor
★ 5.7Davy
Film · 1958
Eric
★ 6.4The Buccaneers
TV series · 1956
Clip West
★ 6.0Armchair Theatre
TV series · 1956
Ray
★ 6.8Not So Dusty
Film · 1956
Role
★ 6.7This Is Your Life
TV series · 1955
Self
★ 7.3The Ship That Died of Shame
Film · 1955
Birdie
★ 7.0The Rainbow Jacket
Film · 1954
Sam
★ 7.4A Day to Remember
Film · 1953
Shorty Sharpe
★ 7.1The Square Ring
Film · 1953
Happy Burns
★ 7.0There Was a Young Lady
Film · 1953
Joe
★ 6.2The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men
Film · 1952
Stutely
★ 5.8Hotel Sahara
Film · 1951
Private Binns
★ 6.8The Girl Who Couldn't Quite
Film · 1950
Tim
★ 7.0Trottie True
Film · 1949
Joe Jugg
★ 6.0Diamond City
Film · 1949
Pinto
★ 5.8Once a Jolly Swagman
Film · 1949
Lag Gibbon
★ 8.0Trouble in the Air
Film · 1948
Role
★ 6.7The Weaker Sex
Film · 1948
Soldier with Chicken
★ 6.3My Brother's Keeper
Film · 1948
Syd Evans
★ 6.0Daybreak
Film · 1948
Ron
★ 6.1Easy Money
Film · 1948
Mr. Lee
★ 6.1Dancing with Crime
Film · 1947
Dave Robinson
★ 7.2School for Secrets
Film · 1946
Paratroop Sergeant (as Bill Rowbotham)
★ 6.0The Way to the Stars
Film · 1945
Sgt. 'Nobby' Clarke
A City Reborn
Film · 1945
Role
Breathing Space
Film · 1943
(uncredited)