Cast
Bill Owen
Acting
Cast
Bill Owen
Known for
Acting
Born
1914-03-14
From
Acton, London, England, UK
Died
1999-07-12
Also known as ΠΠΈΠ»Π» ΠΡΡΠ½, William John Owen Rowbotham
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.
β
5.8
MOVIE1978
The Comeback
as Mr. B
β
6.4
MOVIE1959
Carry On Nurse
as Percy "Perc" Hickson
β
9.0
MOVIE1969
Mischief
β
7.0
MOVIE1993
The Entertainer
as Billy Rice
β
6.5
MOVIE2005
The Funny Blokes of British Comedy
as Compo Simmonite (archive footage) (uncredited)
β
6.4
MOVIE1958
Carry On Sergeant
as Corporal Bill Copping
β
6.0
MOVIE1958
Carve Her Name with Pride
as NCO Instructor
β
6.7
MOVIE1948
The Weaker Sex
as Soldier with Chicken
β
6.8
MOVIE1973
O Lucky Man!
as Supt. Barlow / Insp. Carding
β
6.2
MOVIE1952
The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men
as Stutely
β
5.4
MOVIE1961
The Hellfire Club
as Martin
MOVIE1964
Kiss Me, Kate
as Gangster
β
6.3
MOVIE1961
Carry On Regardless
as Mike Weston
MOVIE1945
A City Reborn
β
7.7
MOVIE1998
What's a Carry On?
as Corporal Bill Copping / Perc Hickson / Mike Weston (archive footage) (uncredited)
β
5.2
MOVIE1975
In Celebration
as Mr. Shaw
β
6.0
MOVIE1945
The Way to the Stars
as Sgt. 'Nobby' Clarke
β
5.8
MOVIE1977
That's Carry On!
as Corporal Bill Copping (archive footage) (uncredited)
β
6.2
MOVIE1966
Georgy Girl
as Ted
β
6.1
MOVIE1947
Dancing with Crime
as Dave Robinson
β
5.6
MOVIE1951
Hotel Sahara
as Private Binns
β
5.7
MOVIE1961
On the Fiddle
as Cpl. Gittens
β
6.4
MOVIE1963
Carry On Cabby
as "Smiley" Sims
β
7.3
MOVIE1955
The Ship That Died of Shame
as Birdie
β
7.2
MOVIE1946
School for Secrets
as Paratroop Sergeant (as Bill Rowbotham)
MOVIE1982
The Funny Side of Christmas
as Compo
β
7.4
MOVIE1953
A Day to Remember
as Shorty Sharpe
β
5.5
MOVIE1966
The Fighting Prince of Donegal
as Officer Powell
β
5.8
MOVIE1949
Once a Jolly Swagman
as Lag Gibbon
MOVIE1943
Breathing Space
as (uncredited)
MOVIE1984
Royal Variety Performance 1984
as Compo
β
7.1
MOVIE1953
The Square Ring
as Happy Burns
β
7.0
MOVIE1953
There Was a Young Lady
as Joe
β
6.8
MOVIE1947
When The Bough Breaks
as Bill Collins
β
9.0
MOVIE1964
The Secret of Blood Island
as George Bludgin
β
7.0
MOVIE1954
The Rainbow Jacket
as Sam
β
7.0
MOVIE1949
Trottie True
as Joe Jugg
β
5.8
MOVIE1984
Laughterhouse
as Amos
β
6.0
MOVIE1960
The Shakedown
as David Spettigue
β
6.8
MOVIE1950
The Girl Who Couldn't Quite
as Tim
β
8.0
MOVIE1948
Trouble in the Air
β
6.3
MOVIE1948
My Brother's Keeper
as Syd Evans
β
6.0
MOVIE1949
Diamond City
as Pinto
β
6.1
MOVIE1948
Easy Money
as Mr. Lee
β
5.7
MOVIE1958
Davy
as Eric
β
6.0
MOVIE1948
Daybreak
as Ron
MOVIE1964
The Last Word on Julie
as Ray
MOVIE2022
Last Of The Summer Wine: 30 Years Of Laughs
as Self (archive)
MOVIE1970
Unfair!
as Worker
β
4.0
MOVIE1978
Last of the Summer Wine Christmas Specials 1978-1982
as Compo
β
6.8
MOVIE1956
Not So Dusty
β
8.0
MOVIE1983
Getting Sam Home
as Compo Simmonite
β
8.0
MOVIE1968
Headline Hunters
MOVIE1986
Last of the Summer Wine: Uncle of the Bride
as Compo
MOVIE1941
Tank Patrol
as Geordie
MOVIE1987
Last of the Summer Wine: Big Day At Dream Acres
as Compo