Bill Owen
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- March 14, 1914
- Died
- July 12, 1999
- Birthplace
- Acton, London, England, UK
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.
Filmography
Last Of The Summer Wine: 30 Years Of Laughs 2022
as Self (archive)
- The Funny Blokes of British Comedy
The Funny Blokes of British Comedy 2005
as Compo Simmonite (archive footage) (uncredited)
Great Comedy Moments 2001
as Compo (archive footage)
What's a Carry On? 1998
as Corporal Bill Copping / Perc Hickson / Mike Weston (archive footage) (uncredited)
The Entertainer 1993
as Billy Rice
Last of the Summer Wine: Big Day at Dream Acres 1987
as Compo
Last of the Summer Wine: Uncle of the Bride 1986
as Compo
Royal Variety Performance 1984 1984
as Compo
Laughterhouse 1984
as Amos
Last of the Summer Wine: Getting Sam Home 1983
as Compo Simmonite
The Funny Side of Christmas 1982
as Compo
- Last of the Summer Wine Christmas Specials 1978-1982
Last of the Summer Wine Christmas Specials 1978-1982 1978
as Compo
The Comeback 1978
as Mr. B
That's Carry On! 1977
as Corporal Bill Copping (archive footage) (uncredited)
In Celebration 1975
as Mr. Shaw
O Lucky Man! 1973
as Supt. Barlow / Insp. Carding
Kadoyng 1972
as Jack Flitton
- Unfair!
Unfair! 1970
as Worker
- Mischief
Mischief 1969
Actor
- Headline Hunters
Headline Hunters 1968
Actor
The Fighting Prince of Donegal 1966
as Officer Powell
Georgy Girl 1966
as Ted
The Secret of Blood Island 1964
as George Bludgin
Kiss Me, Kate 1964
as Gangster
- The Last Word on Julie
The Last Word on Julie 1964
as Ray
Carry On Cabby 1963
as "Smiley" Sims
On the Fiddle 1961
as Cpl. Gittens
Carry On Regardless 1961
as Mike Weston
The Hellfire Club 1961
as Martin
The Shakedown 1960
as David Spettigue
Carry On Nurse 1959
as Percy "Perc" Hickson
Carry On Sergeant 1958
as Corporal Bill Copping
Carve Her Name with Pride 1958
as NCO Instructor
Davy 1958
as Eric
Not So Dusty 1956
Actor
The Ship That Died of Shame 1955
as Birdie
The Rainbow Jacket 1954
as Sam
A Day to Remember 1953
as Shorty Sharpe
The Square Ring 1953
as Happy Burns
There Was a Young Lady 1953
as Joe
The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men 1952
as Stutely
Hotel Sahara 1951
as Private Binns
The Girl Who Couldn't Quite 1950
as Tim
Trottie True 1949
as Joe Jugg
Diamond City 1949
as Pinto
Once a Jolly Swagman 1949
as Lag Gibbon
Trouble in the Air 1948
Actor
The Weaker Sex 1948
as Soldier with Chicken
My Brother's Keeper 1948
as Syd Evans
Daybreak 1948
as Ron
Easy Money 1948
as Mr. Lee
- When The Bough Breaks
When The Bough Breaks 1947
as Bill Collins
Dancing with Crime 1947
as Dave Robinson
School for Secrets 1946
as Paratroop Sergeant (as Bill Rowbotham)
The Way to the Stars 1945
as Sgt. 'Nobby' Clarke
A City Reborn 1945
Actor
Breathing Space 1943
as (uncredited)
- Tank Patrol
Tank Patrol 1941
as Geordie
Credits from TMDB.