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person_profile-Bill Owen

Bill Owen Died at age: 85

Actor | Producer

Fullname:

Bill Owen

Date of Birth:

Mar 14, 1914

Country of birth:

UK

Died:

Jul 12, 1999

Biography of

Bill Owen

    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.

Photos of

Bill Owen

Photos ( 1 Photos

Filmography of

Bill Owen

Found 41 Movies in total

... 2023

... 2022

The Entertainer

Billy Rice ( Actor )

... 1993

Laughterhouse

Amos ( Actor )

... 1984

Getting Sam Home

Compo ( Actor )

... 1983

The Comeback

Mr. B ( Actor )

... 1978

In Celebration

Mr. Shaw ( Actor )

... 1975

O Lucky Man!

Supt. Barlow / Insp. Carding ( Actor )

... 1973

The Fighting Prince of Donegal

Officer Powell ( Actor )

... 1966

Georgy Girl

Ted ( Actor )

... 1966

The Secret of Blood Island

George Bludgin ( Actor )

... 1964

Kiss Me, Kate

Gangster ( Actor )

... 1964

Carry On Cabby

Smiley Sims ( Actor )

... 1963

On the Fiddle

Cpl. Gittens ( Actor )

... 1961

Carry On Regardless

Mike Weston ( Actor )

... 1961

The Hellfire Club

Martin ( Actor )

... 1961

The Shakedown

David Spettigue ( Actor )

... 1960

Carry On Nurse

Percy 'Perc' Hickson ( Actor )

... 1959

Carry On Sergeant

Corporal Bill Copping ( Actor )

... 1958

Carve Her Name with Pride

NCO Instructor ( Actor )

... 1958

Davy

Eric ( Actor )

... 1958

... 1956

... 1955

The Rainbow Jacket

Sam ( Actor )

... 1954

A Day to Remember

Shorty Sharpe ( Actor )

... 1953

The Square Ring

Happy Burns ( Actor )

... 1953

... 1953

... 1952

Hotel Sahara

Private Binns ( Actor )

... 1951

... 1950

Trottie True

Joe Jugg ( Actor )

... 1949

Diamond City

Pinto ( Actor )

... 1949

Once a Jolly Swagman

Lag Gibbon ( Actor )

... 1949

... 1948

The Weaker Sex

Soldier with Chicken ( Actor )

... 1948

My Brother's Keeper

Syd Evans ( Actor )

... 1948

Daybreak

Ron ( Actor )

... 1948

Easy Money

Mr. Lee ( Actor )

... 1948

Dancing with Crime

Dave Robinson ( Actor )

... 1947

School for Secrets

Paratroop Sergeant ( Actor )

... 1946

The Way to the Stars

Sgt. 'Nobby' Clarke ( Actor )

... 1945