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.
The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men
as Stutely
Age 38 (now 85)
Last Of The Summer Wine: 30 Years Of Laughs
as Self (archive)
Age 107 (now 85)The Funny Blokes of British Comedy
as Compo Simmonite (archive footage) (uncredited)
Age 90 (now 85)
What's a Carry On?
as Corporal Bill Copping / Perc Hickson / Mike Weston (archive footage) (uncredited)
Age 84 (now 85)
Last of the Summer Wine Christmas Specials 1978-1982
as Compo
Age 64 (now 85)
That's Carry On!
as Corporal Bill Copping (archive footage) (uncredited)
Age 63 (now 85)
The Fighting Prince of Donegal
as Officer Powell
Age 52 (now 85)
The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men
as Stutely
Age 38 (now 85)
School for Secrets
as Paratroop Sergeant (as Bill Rowbotham)
Age 32 (now 85)
Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads?
as George Chambers
Age 58 (now 85)
Last of the Summer Wine
as Compo (archive footage)
Age 58 (now 85)
Gathering insights...
Also Known As
Билл Оуэн, William John Owen Rowbotham
IMDB
nm0654089