
Bill Owen
Biography
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.
Acting (46 movies)

Carry On Nurse
1959

Carry On Sergeant
1958

Carry On Regardless
1961

The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men
1952

The Secret of Blood Island
1964

Georgy Girl
1966

Carve Her Name with Pride
1958

The Way to the Stars
1945

Hotel Sahara
1951

Daybreak
1948

The Shakedown
1960

Carry On Cabby
1963

The Rainbow Jacket
1954

My Brother's Keeper
1948

Dancing with Crime
1947

The Square Ring
1953

Diamond City
1949

The Ship That Died of Shame
1955

The Hellfire Club
1961

Laughterhouse
1984

Easy Money
1948

Once a Jolly Swagman
1949

Last Of The Summer Wine: 30 Years Of Laughs
2022

The Comeback
1978

In Celebration
1975

On the Fiddle
1961

Davy
1958

A Day to Remember
1953

Getting Sam Home
1983

Not So Dusty
1956

Trottie True
1949

A City Reborn
1945

The Girl Who Couldn't Quite
1950

There Was a Young Lady
1953

O Lucky Man!
1973

Trouble in the Air
1948

The Weaker Sex
1948

Kiss Me, Kate
1964

The Entertainer
1993

School for Secrets
1946

Breathing Space
1943

The Fighting Prince of Donegal
1966

Royal Variety Performance 1984
1984

The Funny Side of Christmas
1982

That's Carry On!
1977

What's a Carry On?
1998
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