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
Films (58)
Last Of The Summer Wine: 30 Years Of Laughs
2022 · Self (archive)
The Funny Blokes of British Comedy
2005 · Compo Simmonite (archive footage) (uncredited)
Great Comedy Moments
2001 · Compo (archive footage)
What's a Carry On?
1998 · Corporal Bill Copping / Perc Hickson / Mike Weston (archive footage) (uncredited)
The Entertainer
1993 · Billy Rice
Last of the Summer Wine: Big Day at Dream Acres
1987 · Compo
Last of the Summer Wine: Uncle of the Bride
1986 · Compo
Royal Variety Performance 1984
1984 · Compo
Laughterhouse
1984 · Amos
Last of the Summer Wine: Getting Sam Home
1983 · Compo Simmonite
The Funny Side of Christmas
1982 · Compo
Last of the Summer Wine Christmas Specials 1978-1982
1978 · Compo
The Comeback
1978 · Mr. B
That's Carry On!
1977 · Corporal Bill Copping (archive footage) (uncredited)
In Celebration
1975 · Mr. Shaw
O Lucky Man!
1973 · Supt. Barlow / Insp. Carding
Kadoyng
1972 · Jack Flitton
Unfair!
1970 · Worker
Mischief
1969
Headline Hunters
1968
The Fighting Prince of Donegal
1966 · Officer Powell
Georgy Girl
1966 · Ted
The Secret of Blood Island
1964 · George Bludgin
Kiss Me, Kate
1964 · Gangster
The Last Word on Julie
1964 · Ray
Carry On Cabby
1963 · "Smiley" Sims
On the Fiddle
1961 · Cpl. Gittens
Carry On Regardless
1961 · Mike Weston
The Hellfire Club
1961 · Martin
The Shakedown
1960 · David Spettigue
Carry On Nurse
1959 · Percy "Perc" Hickson
Carry On Sergeant
1958 · Corporal Bill Copping
Carve Her Name with Pride
1958 · NCO Instructor
Davy
1958 · Eric
Not So Dusty
1956
The Ship That Died of Shame
1955 · Birdie
The Rainbow Jacket
1954 · Sam
A Day to Remember
1953 · Shorty Sharpe
The Square Ring
1953 · Happy Burns
There Was a Young Lady
1953 · Joe
The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men
1952 · Stutely
Hotel Sahara
1951 · Private Binns
The Girl Who Couldn't Quite
1950 · Tim
Trottie True
1949 · Joe Jugg
Diamond City
1949 · Pinto
Once a Jolly Swagman
1949 · Lag Gibbon
Trouble in the Air
1948
The Weaker Sex
1948 · Soldier with Chicken
My Brother's Keeper
1948 · Syd Evans
Daybreak
1948 · Ron
Easy Money
1948 · Mr. Lee
When The Bough Breaks
1947 · Bill Collins
Dancing with Crime
1947 · Dave Robinson
School for Secrets
1946 · Paratroop Sergeant (as Bill Rowbotham)
The Way to the Stars
1945 · Sgt. 'Nobby' Clarke
A City Reborn
1945
Breathing Space
1943 · (uncredited)
Tank Patrol
1941 · Geordie
Séries (28)
Smillie's People
1996 · Self
Noel's House Party
1991 · Compo
Performance
1991 · Billy Rice
The Kids International Show
1982 · Compo
Tales of the Unexpected
1979 · Meakins
Blankety Blank
1979
The Val Doonican Music Show
1977 · Self
Angels
1975
Away from It All
1973 · Robert
Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads?
1973 · George Chambers
Last of the Summer Wine
1973 · Compo (archive footage), Compo
Late Night Theatre
1972 · William
Shirley's World
1972
Coppers End
1971 · Sgt. Sam Short
Catweazle
1970 · Pickle
ITV Saturday Night Theatre
1969 · Mr. Hanley
Treasure Island
1968 · Billy Bones
Cilla
1968 · Self
Man in a Suitcase
1967
ITV Playhouse
1967 · Mr Milner
Half Hour Story
1967 · R.J.Smellies
Thirty-Minute Theatre
1965 · Henry Jay
Taxi!
1963 · Fred Cuddell
Drama 61-67
1961 · Bailey
The Buccaneers
1956 · Clip West
Armchair Theatre
1956 · Ray
This Is Your Life
1955 · Self
Sherlock Holmes
1951 · Inspector Lestrade