
Bill Owen
Born March 14, 1914 · 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.
Movies

Carry On Nurse

O Lucky Man!

The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men

Last of the Summer Wine: Getting Sam Home

The Ship That Died of Shame

That's Carry On!

Carve Her Name with Pride

Last of the Summer Wine: Big Day at Dream Acres

What's a Carry On?

My Brother's Keeper

The Fighting Prince of Donegal

Royal Variety Performance 1984

The Way to the Stars

Georgy Girl
More Movies

Breathing Space

The Comeback

The Entertainer

Carry On Regardless

On the Fiddle

The Secret of Blood Island

Carry On Cabby

Last of the Summer Wine: Uncle of the Bride

A Day to Remember

Trouble in the Air

The Hellfire Club

Carry On Sergeant

The Square Ring

The Funny Side of Christmas

Last Of The Summer Wine: 30 Years Of Laughs

Once a Jolly Swagman

Dancing with Crime

Trottie True

There Was a Young Lady

In Celebration

School for Secrets

Diamond City

The Rainbow Jacket

The Weaker Sex

The Shakedown

Hotel Sahara

Laughterhouse

Daybreak

Easy Money

Kiss Me, Kate

The Girl Who Couldn't Quite

A City Reborn

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