Bill Owen

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
Acting
Born
March 14, 1914
Place of Birth
Acton, London, England, UK
Died
July 12, 1999 age 85
  • imdb
1959

Carry On Nurse

1958

Carry On Sergeant

1961

Carry On Regardless

1952

The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men

1964

The Secret of Blood Island

1966

Georgy Girl

1958

Carve Her Name with Pride

1945

The Way to the Stars

1951

Hotel Sahara

1948

Daybreak

1960

The Shakedown

1963

Carry On Cabby

1954

The Rainbow Jacket

1948

My Brother's Keeper

1947

Dancing with Crime

1953

The Square Ring

1949

Diamond City

1955

The Ship That Died of Shame

1961

The Hellfire Club

1984

Laughterhouse

1948

Easy Money

1949

Once a Jolly Swagman

2022

Last Of The Summer Wine: 30 Years Of Laughs

1978

The Comeback

1975

In Celebration

1961

On the Fiddle

1958

Davy

1947

When The Bough Breaks

1953

A Day to Remember

1983

Getting Sam Home

1970

Unfair!

1956

Not So Dusty

1949

Trottie True

1945

A City Reborn

1950

The Girl Who Couldn't Quite

1953

There Was a Young Lady

1968

Headline Hunters

1969

Mischief

1973

O Lucky Man!

1948

Trouble in the Air

1941

Tank Patrol

1948

The Weaker Sex

1964

Kiss Me, Kate

1993

The Entertainer

1946

School for Secrets

1943

Breathing Space

1966

The Fighting Prince of Donegal

1964

The Last Word on Julie

1984

Royal Variety Performance 1984

1982

The Funny Side of Christmas

1978

Last of the Summer Wine Christmas Specials 1978-1982

2023

Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads?

2023

Tales of the Unexpected

2023

Last of the Summer Wine

2023

Brideshead Revisited

2023

The Buccaneers

2023

Catweazle

2023

Shirley's World

2023

Angels

2023

Man in a Suitcase

2023

Performance

2023

Blankety Blank

2023

Cilla

2023

Sherlock Holmes

2023

Noel's House Party

2023

Last of the Summer Wine

2023

The Kids International Show

2023

Taxi!

2023

Taxi!

2023

Coppers End

2023

The Val Doonican Music Show

2023

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