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.
Carry On Nurse
as Percy "Perc" Hickson
O Lucky Man!
as Supt. Barlow / Insp. Carding
The Funny Blokes of British Comedy
as Compo Simmonite (archive footage) (uncredited)
Georgy Girl
as Ted
On the Fiddle
as Cpl. Gittens
The Comeback
as Mr. B
Carve Her Name with Pride
as NCO Instructor
That's Carry On!
as Corporal Bill Copping (archive footage) (uncredited)
Carry On Sergeant
as Corporal Bill Copping
Hotel Sahara
as Private Binns
The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men
as Stutely
School for Secrets
as Paratroop Sergeant (as Bill Rowbotham)
Royal Variety Performance 1984
as Compo
Carry On Regardless
as Mike Weston
Carry On Cabby
as "Smiley" Sims
In Celebration
as Mr. Shaw
The Fighting Prince of Donegal
as Officer Powell
The Funny Side of Christmas
as Compo
What's a Carry On?
as Corporal Bill Copping / Perc Hickson / Mike Weston (archive footage) (uncredited)
The Square Ring
as Happy Burns
The Ship That Died of Shame
as Birdie
The Way to the Stars
as Sgt. 'Nobby' Clarke
Easy Money
as Mr. Lee
My Brother's Keeper
as Syd Evans
The Hellfire Club
as Martin
Diamond City
as Pinto
When The Bough Breaks
as Bill Collins
Last Of The Summer Wine: 30 Years Of Laughs
as Self (archive)
Daybreak
as Ron
Dancing with Crime
as Dave Robinson
A City Reborn
A Day to Remember
as Shorty Sharpe
Once a Jolly Swagman
as Lag Gibbon
The Rainbow Jacket
as Sam
Trottie True
as Joe Jugg
Laughterhouse
as Amos
The Secret of Blood Island
as George Bludgin
Davy
as Eric
The Shakedown
as David Spettigue
Trouble in the Air
The Entertainer
as Billy Rice
Unfair!
as Worker
Getting Sam Home
as Compo Simmonite
There Was a Young Lady
as Joe
The Weaker Sex
as Soldier with Chicken
The Last Word on Julie
as Ray
Kiss Me, Kate
as Gangster
Tank Patrol
as Geordie
Not So Dusty
Mischief
The Girl Who Couldn't Quite
as Tim
Headline Hunters
Breathing Space
as (uncredited)
Last of the Summer Wine Christmas Specials 1978-1982
as Compo