Bill Owen
Acting
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
Acting83
movieLast Of The Summer Wine: 30 Years Of Laughs
2022
Self (archive)
The Funny Blokes of British Comedy
2005
Compo Simmonite (archive footage) (uncredited)
movieWhat's a Carry On?
1998
Corporal Bill Copping / Perc Hickson / Mike Weston (archive footage) (uncredited)
movieThe Entertainer
1993
Billy Rice
tvPerformance
1991
Billy Rice
movieGetting Sam Home
1983
Compo Simmonite
movieThat's Carry On!
1977
Corporal Bill Copping (archive footage) (uncredited)
movieIn Celebration
1975
Mr. Shaw
movieO Lucky Man!
1973
Supt. Barlow / Insp. Carding
tvWhatever Happened to the Likely Lads?
1973
George Chambers
tvLast of the Summer Wine
1973
Compo (archive footage) / Compo
Coppers End
1971
Sgt. Sam Short
Unfair!
1970
Worker
tvCatweazle
1970
Pickle
tvITV Saturday Night Theatre
1969
Mr. Hanley
Treasure Island
1968
Billy Bones
tvCilla
1968
Self
tvITV Playhouse
1967
Mr Milner
tvHalf Hour Story
1967
R.J.Smellies
movieThe Fighting Prince of Donegal
1966
Officer Powell
tvThirty-Minute Theatre
1965
Henry Jay
movieThe Secret of Blood Island
1964
George Bludgin
movieKiss Me, Kate
1964
Gangster
Taxi!
1963
Fred Cuddel
Taxi!
1963
Fred Cuddell
movieCarry On Cabby
1963
"Smiley" Sims
movieOn the Fiddle
1961
Cpl. Gittens
movieCarry On Regardless
1961
Mike Weston
movieThe Shakedown
1960
David Spettigue
movieCarry On Nurse
1959
Percy "Perc" Hickson
movieCarry On Sergeant
1958
Corporal Bill Copping
movieCarve Her Name with Pride
1958
NCO Instructor
movieDavy
1958
Eric
tvThe Buccaneers
1956
Clip West
movieA Day to Remember
1953
Shorty Sharpe
movieThe Square Ring
1953
Happy Burns
Sherlock Holmes
1951
Inspector Lestrade
movieHotel Sahara
1951
Private Binns
movieTrottie True
1949
Joe Jugg
movieOnce a Jolly Swagman
1949
Lag Gibbon
movieThe Weaker Sex
1948
Soldier with Chicken
movieMy Brother's Keeper
1948
Syd Evans
movieEasy Money
1948
Mr. Lee
movieDancing with Crime
1947
Dave Robinson
movieSchool for Secrets
1946
Paratroop Sergeant (as Bill Rowbotham)
movieThe Way to the Stars
1945
Sgt. 'Nobby' Clarke
movieBreathing Space
1943
(uncredited)