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