
Bill Owen
Born
March 14, 1914
Died
July 12, 1999 (85 years old)
Known For
Acting
Place of Birth
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.
Known For

Last Of The Summer Wine: 30 Years Of Laughs
Self (archive)
2022

The Entertainer
Billy Rice
1993
Noel's House Party
Compo · (1 episode)
1991

Performance
Billy Rice · (1 episode)
1991
That's Television Television
Compo
1986

Laughterhouse
Amos
1984

Getting Sam Home
Compo
1983
The Kids International Show
Compo · (1 episode)
1982

Brideshead Revisited
Lunt · (11 episodes)
1981

Tales of the Unexpected
Meakins · (1 episode)
1979

Blankety Blank
(1 episode)
1979

The Comeback
Mr. B
1978

Angels
(1 episode)
1975

In Celebration
Mr. Shaw
1975

O Lucky Man!
Supt. Barlow / Insp. Carding
1973

Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads?
George Chambers · (4 episodes)
1973

Last of the Summer Wine
Compo (archive footage) · (1 episode)
1973

Last of the Summer Wine
Compo · (173 episodes)
1973

Shirley's World
(1 episode)
1972

Coppers End
Sgt. Sam Short · (13 episodes)
1971
Unfair!
Worker
1970

Catweazle
Pickle · (1 episode)
1970
Mischief
1969
Headline Hunters
1968

Cilla
Self · (1 episode)
1968

Man in a Suitcase
(1 episode)
1967

The Fighting Prince of Donegal
Officer Powell
1966

Georgy Girl
Ted
1966

The Secret of Blood Island
George Bludgin
1964

Kiss Me, Kate
Gangster
1964
The Last Word on Julie
Ray
1964
Taxi!
Fred Cuddel · (13 episodes)
1963

Taxi!
Fred Cuddell · (26 episodes)
1963

Carry On Cabby
Smiley Sims
1963

On the Fiddle
Cpl. Gittens
1961

Carry On Regardless
Mike Weston
1961

The Hellfire Club
Martin
1961

The Shakedown
David Spettigue
1960

Carry On Nurse
Percy 'Perc' Hickson
1959

Carry On Sergeant
Corporal Bill Copping
1958

Carve Her Name with Pride
NCO Instructor
1958

Davy
Eric
1958

The Buccaneers
Clip West · (1 episode)
1956

Not So Dusty
1956

The Ship That Died of Shame
Birdie
1955

The Rainbow Jacket
Sam
1954

A Day to Remember
Shorty Sharpe
1953

The Square Ring
Happy Burns
1953

There Was a Young Lady
Joe
1953

The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men
Stutely
1952
Sherlock Holmes
Inspector Lestrade · (6 episodes)
1951

Hotel Sahara
Private Binns
1951

The Girl Who Couldn't Quite
Tim
1950

Trottie True
Joe Jugg
1949

Diamond City
Pinto
1949

Once a Jolly Swagman
Lag Gibbon
1949

Trouble in the Air
1948

The Weaker Sex
Soldier with Chicken
1948

My Brother's Keeper
Syd Evans
1948

Daybreak
Ron
1948

Easy Money
Mr. Lee
1948
When The Bough Breaks
Bill Collins
1947

Dancing with Crime
Dave Robinson
1947

School for Secrets
Paratroop Sergeant
1946

The Way to the Stars
Sgt. 'Nobby' Clarke
1945

A City Reborn
1945

Breathing Space
(uncredited)
1943
Tank Patrol
Geordie
1941