Bill Owen
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- March 14, 1914
- Died
- July 12, 1999 (aged 85)
- Birthplace
- Acton, London, England, UK
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.
Known For
Filmography
Last Of The Summer Wine: 30 Years Of Laughs
Movie · as Self (archive)
The Funny Blokes of British Comedy
Movie · as Compo Simmonite (archive footage) (uncredited)
Great Comedy Moments
Movie · as Compo (archive footage)
What's a Carry On?
Movie · as Corporal Bill Copping / Perc Hickson / Mike Weston (archive footage) (uncredited)
Smillie's People
TV · as Self · 1 ep
The Entertainer
Movie · as Billy Rice
Performance
TV · as Billy Rice · 1 ep
Noel's House Party
TV · as Compo · 1 ep
Last of the Summer Wine: Big Day at Dream Acres
Movie · as Compo
Last of the Summer Wine: Uncle of the Bride
Movie · as Compo
Laughterhouse
Movie · as Amos
Royal Variety Performance 1984
Movie · as Compo
Last of the Summer Wine: Getting Sam Home
Movie · as Compo Simmonite
The Funny Side of Christmas
Movie · as Compo
The Kids International Show
TV · as Compo · 1 ep
Tales of the Unexpected
TV · as Meakins · 1 ep
Blankety Blank
TV · 1 ep
The Comeback
Movie · as Mr. B
Last of the Summer Wine Christmas Specials 1978-1982
Movie · as Compo
That's Carry On!
Movie · as Corporal Bill Copping (archive footage) (uncredited)
The Val Doonican Music Show
TV · as Self · 1 ep
In Celebration
Movie · as Mr. Shaw
Angels
TV · 1 ep
O Lucky Man!
Movie · as Supt. Barlow / Insp. Carding
Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads?
TV · as George Chambers · 4 eps
Last of the Summer Wine
TV · as Compo (archive footage) · 1 ep
Away from It All
TV · as Robert · 1 ep
Kadoyng
Movie · as Jack Flitton
Shirley's World
TV · 1 ep
Late Night Theatre
TV · as William · 1 ep
Coppers End
TV · as Sgt. Sam Short · 13 eps
Unfair!
Movie · as Worker
Catweazle
TV · as Pickle · 1 ep
Mischief
Movie
ITV Saturday Night Theatre
TV · as Mr. Hanley · 1 ep
Headline Hunters
Movie
Cilla
TV · as Self · 1 ep
Treasure Island
TV · as Billy Bones · 9 eps
Man in a Suitcase
TV · 1 ep
ITV Playhouse
TV · as Mr Milner · 1 ep
Half Hour Story
TV · as R.J.Smellies · 1 ep
Georgy Girl
Movie · as Ted
The Fighting Prince of Donegal
Movie · as Officer Powell
Thirty-Minute Theatre
TV · as Henry Jay · 1 ep
The Secret of Blood Island
Movie · as George Bludgin
Kiss Me, Kate
Movie · as Gangster
The Last Word on Julie
Movie · as Ray
Carry On Cabby
Movie · as "Smiley" Sims
Taxi!
TV · as Fred Cuddell · 26 eps
Carry On Regardless
Movie · as Mike Weston
The Hellfire Club
Movie · as Martin
On the Fiddle
Movie · as Cpl. Gittens
Drama 61-67
TV · as Bailey · 1 ep
The Shakedown
Movie · as David Spettigue
Carry On Nurse
Movie · as Percy "Perc" Hickson
Carry On Sergeant
Movie · as Corporal Bill Copping
Carve Her Name with Pride
Movie · as NCO Instructor
Davy
Movie · as Eric
Not So Dusty
Movie
The Buccaneers
TV · as Clip West · 1 ep
Armchair Theatre
TV · as Ray · 1 ep
The Ship That Died of Shame
Movie · as Birdie
This Is Your Life
TV · as Self · 1 ep
The Rainbow Jacket
Movie · as Sam
The Square Ring
Movie · as Happy Burns
A Day to Remember
Movie · as Shorty Sharpe
There Was a Young Lady
Movie · as Joe
The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men
Movie · as Stutely
Hotel Sahara
Movie · as Private Binns
Sherlock Holmes
TV · as Inspector Lestrade · 6 eps
The Girl Who Couldn't Quite
Movie · as Tim
Diamond City
Movie · as Pinto
Once a Jolly Swagman
Movie · as Lag Gibbon
Trottie True
Movie · as Joe Jugg
Daybreak
Movie · as Ron
My Brother's Keeper
Movie · as Syd Evans
Easy Money
Movie · as Mr. Lee
Trouble in the Air
Movie
The Weaker Sex
Movie · as Soldier with Chicken
Dancing with Crime
Movie · as Dave Robinson
When The Bough Breaks
Movie · as Bill Collins
School for Secrets
Movie · as Paratroop Sergeant (as Bill Rowbotham)
The Way to the Stars
Movie · as Sgt. 'Nobby' Clarke
A City Reborn
Movie
Breathing Space
Movie · as (uncredited)
Tank Patrol
Movie · as Geordie