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
Mischief (1969)
Actor
The Funny Blokes of British Comedy (2005)
as Compo Simmonite (archive footage) (uncredited)
The Comeback (1978)
as Mr. B
The Entertainer (1993)
as Billy Rice
Last of the Summer Wine: Getting Sam Home (1983)
as Compo Simmonite
The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men (1952)
as Stutely
Carry On Sergeant (1958)
as Corporal Bill Copping
Carry On Nurse (1959)
as Percy "Perc" Hickson
O Lucky Man! (1973)
as Supt. Barlow / Insp. Carding
The Hellfire Club (1961)
as Martin
Carve Her Name with Pride (1958)
as NCO Instructor
Georgy Girl (1966)
as Ted
That's Carry On! (1977)
as Corporal Bill Copping (archive footage) (uncredited)
Carry On Cabby (1963)
as "Smiley" Sims
Last of the Summer Wine: Uncle of the Bride (1986)
as Compo
The Weaker Sex (1948)
as Soldier with Chicken
Last of the Summer Wine: Big Day at Dream Acres (1987)
as Compo
The Secret of Blood Island (1964)
as George Bludgin
Royal Variety Performance 1984 (1984)
as Compo
Last Of The Summer Wine: 30 Years Of Laughs (2022)
as Self (archive)
The Fighting Prince of Donegal (1966)
as Officer Powell
The Ship That Died of Shame (1955)
as Birdie
A City Reborn (1945)
Actor
The Way to the Stars (1945)
as Sgt. 'Nobby' Clarke
The Shakedown (1960)
as David Spettigue
On the Fiddle (1961)
as Cpl. Gittens
Kiss Me, Kate (1964)
as Gangster
The Rainbow Jacket (1954)
as Sam
The Funny Side of Christmas (1982)
as Compo
My Brother's Keeper (1948)
as Syd Evans
What's a Carry On? (1998)
as Corporal Bill Copping / Perc Hickson / Mike Weston (archive footage) (uncredited)
A Day to Remember (1953)
as Shorty Sharpe
Hotel Sahara (1951)
as Private Binns
Carry On Regardless (1961)
as Mike Weston
Trottie True (1949)
as Joe Jugg
Breathing Space (1943)
as (uncredited)
School for Secrets (1946)
as Paratroop Sergeant (as Bill Rowbotham)
Once a Jolly Swagman (1949)
as Lag Gibbon
The Girl Who Couldn't Quite (1950)
as Tim
Trouble in the Air (1948)
Actor
There Was a Young Lady (1953)
as Joe
Unfair! (1970)
as Worker
The Square Ring (1953)
as Happy Burns
Easy Money (1948)
as Mr. Lee
Diamond City (1949)
as Pinto
Laughterhouse (1984)
as Amos
When The Bough Breaks (1947)
as Bill Collins
In Celebration (1975)
as Mr. Shaw
Dancing with Crime (1947)
as Dave Robinson
The Last Word on Julie (1964)
as Ray
Last of the Summer Wine Christmas Specials 1978-1982 (1978)
as Compo
Not So Dusty (1956)
Actor
Daybreak (1948)
as Ron
Davy (1958)
as Eric
Tank Patrol (1941)
as Geordie
Headline Hunters (1968)
Actor
Great Comedy Moments (2001)
as Compo (archive footage)
Kadoyng (1972)
as Jack Flitton