Bill Owen
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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
Credits
O Lucky Man! (1973)
as Supt. Barlow / Insp. Carding
The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men (1952)
as Stutely
Carry On Nurse (1959)
as Percy "Perc" Hickson
The Weaker Sex (1948)
as Soldier with Chicken
The Comeback (1978)
as Mr. B
Carry On Sergeant (1958)
as Corporal Bill Copping
Carry On Regardless (1961)
as Mike Weston
Carve Her Name with Pride (1958)
as NCO Instructor
Georgy Girl (1966)
as Ted
The Entertainer (1993)
as Billy Rice
Breathing Space (1943)
as (uncredited)
That's Carry On! (1977)
as Corporal Bill Copping (archive footage) (uncredited)
The Funny Blokes of British Comedy (2005)
as Compo Simmonite (archive footage) (uncredited)
Carry On Cabby (1963)
as "Smiley" Sims
Mischief (1969)
Actor
Trottie True (1949)
as Joe Jugg
The Ship That Died of Shame (1955)
as Birdie
On the Fiddle (1961)
as Cpl. Gittens
The Hellfire Club (1961)
as Martin
School for Secrets (1946)
as Paratroop Sergeant (as Bill Rowbotham)
Kiss Me, Kate (1964)
as Gangster
Once a Jolly Swagman (1949)
as Lag Gibbon
The Square Ring (1953)
as Happy Burns
Last Of The Summer Wine: 30 Years Of Laughs (2022)
as Self (archive)
Hotel Sahara (1951)
as Private Binns
The Secret of Blood Island (1964)
as George Bludgin
Laughterhouse (1984)
as Amos
The Rainbow Jacket (1954)
as Sam
The Way to the Stars (1945)
as Sgt. 'Nobby' Clarke
Dancing with Crime (1947)
as Dave Robinson
Diamond City (1949)
as Pinto
The Funny Side of Christmas (1982)
as Compo
A Day to Remember (1953)
as Shorty Sharpe
What's a Carry On? (1998)
as Corporal Bill Copping / Perc Hickson / Mike Weston (archive footage) (uncredited)
The Fighting Prince of Donegal (1966)
as Officer Powell
Royal Variety Performance 1984 (1984)
as Compo
The Shakedown (1960)
as David Spettigue
In Celebration (1975)
as Mr. Shaw
Easy Money (1948)
as Mr. Lee
Davy (1958)
as Eric
My Brother's Keeper (1948)
as Syd Evans
Trouble in the Air (1948)
Actor
Last of the Summer Wine Christmas Specials 1978-1982 (1978)
as Compo
When The Bough Breaks (1947)
as Bill Collins
A City Reborn (1945)
Actor
Daybreak (1948)
as Ron
There Was a Young Lady (1953)
as Joe
Getting Sam Home (1983)
as Compo Simmonite
Unfair! (1970)
as Worker
Not So Dusty (1956)
Actor
The Girl Who Couldn't Quite (1950)
as Tim
Last of the Summer Wine: Uncle of the Bride (1986)
as Compo
Headline Hunters (1968)
Actor
The Last Word on Julie (1964)
as Ray
Tank Patrol (1941)
as Geordie
Last of the Summer Wine: Big Day At Dream Acres (1987)
as Compo