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.

Known For

Tales of the Unexpected

Last of the Summer Wine

Last of the Summer Wine

Thirty-Minute Theatre

ITV Playhouse

Angels

Performance

ITV Saturday Night Theatre

All Movies (54)

• Last Of The Summer Wine: 30 Years Of Laughs2022 · as Self (archive)
• The Funny Blokes of British Comedy2005 · as Compo Simmonite (archive footage) (uncredited)
• What's a Carry On?1998 · as Corporal Bill Copping / Perc Hickson / Mike Weston (archive footage) (uncredited)
• The Entertainer1993 · as Billy Rice
• Royal Variety Performance 19841984 · as Compo
• Laughterhouse1984 · as Amos
• Getting Sam Home1983 · as Compo Simmonite
• The Funny Side of Christmas1982 · as Compo
• Last of the Summer Wine Christmas Specials 1978-19821978 · as Compo
• The Comeback1978 · as Mr. B
• That's Carry On!1977 · as Corporal Bill Copping (archive footage) (uncredited)
• In Celebration1975 · as Mr. Shaw
• O Lucky Man!1973 · as Supt. Barlow / Insp. Carding
• Unfair!1970 · as Worker
• Mischief1969
• Headline Hunters1968
• The Fighting Prince of Donegal1966 · as Officer Powell
• Georgy Girl1966 · as Ted
• The Secret of Blood Island1964 · as George Bludgin
• Kiss Me, Kate1964 · as Gangster
• The Last Word on Julie1964 · as Ray
• Carry On Cabby1963 · as "Smiley" Sims
• On the Fiddle1961 · as Cpl. Gittens
• Carry On Regardless1961 · as Mike Weston
• The Hellfire Club1961 · as Martin
• The Shakedown1960 · as David Spettigue
• Carry On Nurse1959 · as Percy "Perc" Hickson
• Carry On Sergeant1958 · as Corporal Bill Copping
• Carve Her Name with Pride1958 · as NCO Instructor
• Davy1958 · as Eric
• Not So Dusty1956
• The Ship That Died of Shame1955 · as Birdie
• The Rainbow Jacket1954 · as Sam
• A Day to Remember1953 · as Shorty Sharpe
• The Square Ring1953 · as Happy Burns
• There Was a Young Lady1953 · as Joe
• The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men1952 · as Stutely
• Hotel Sahara1951 · as Private Binns
• The Girl Who Couldn't Quite1950 · as Tim
• Trottie True1949 · as Joe Jugg
• Diamond City1949 · as Pinto
• Once a Jolly Swagman1949 · as Lag Gibbon
• Trouble in the Air1948
• The Weaker Sex1948 · as Soldier with Chicken
• My Brother's Keeper1948 · as Syd Evans
• Daybreak1948 · as Ron
• Easy Money1948 · as Mr. Lee
• When The Bough Breaks1947 · as Bill Collins
• Dancing with Crime1947 · as Dave Robinson
• School for Secrets1946 · as Paratroop Sergeant (as Bill Rowbotham)
• The Way to the Stars1945 · as Sgt. 'Nobby' Clarke
• A City Reborn1945
• Breathing Space1943 · as (uncredited)
• Tank Patrol1941 · as Geordie

All TV Shows (29)

• Smillie's People1996 · as Self
• Noel's House Party1991 · as Compo
• Performance1991 · as Billy Rice
• The Kids International Show1982 · as Compo
• Tales of the Unexpected1979 · as Meakins
• Blankety Blank1979
• The Val Doonican Music Show1977 · as Self
• Angels1975
• Away from It All1973 · as Robert
• Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads?1973 · as George Chambers
• Last of the Summer Wine1973 · as Compo (archive footage)
• Last of the Summer Wine1973 · as Compo
• Shirley's World1972
• Coppers End1971 · as Sgt. Sam Short
• Catweazle1970 · as Pickle
• ITV Saturday Night Theatre1969 · as Mr. Hanley
• Treasure Island1968 · as Billy Bones
• Cilla1968 · as Self
• Man in a Suitcase1967
• ITV Playhouse1967 · as Mr Milner
• Half Hour Story1967 · as R.J.Smellies
• Thirty-Minute Theatre1965 · as Henry Jay
• Taxi!1963 · as Fred Cuddel
• Taxi!1963 · as Fred Cuddell
• Drama 61-671961 · as Bailey
• The Buccaneers1956 · as Clip West
• Armchair Theatre1956 · as Ray
• This Is Your Life1955 · as Self
• Sherlock Holmes1951 · as Inspector Lestrade