Bill Owen
Known for Acting · 85 credits
- Born
- 1914-03-14
- Died
- 1999-07-12
- Place of birth
- Acton, London, England, UK
- Also known as
- Билл Оуэн · William John Owen Rowbotham
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
TV Shows (29)
This Is Your Life
1955
as Self
Last of the Summer Wine
1973
as Compo (archive footage)
Tales of the Unexpected
1979
as Meakins
Thirty-Minute Theatre
1965
as Henry Jay
Blankety Blank
1979
Noel's House Party
1991
as Compo
ITV Playhouse
1967
as Mr Milner
Drama 61-67
1961
as Bailey
Angels
1975
Man in a Suitcase
1967
ITV Saturday Night Theatre
1969
as Mr. Hanley
Performance
1991
as Billy Rice
Taxi!
1963
as Fred Cuddell
Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads?
1973
as George Chambers
The Buccaneers
1956
as Clip West
Cilla
1968
as Self
Half Hour Story
1967
as R.J.Smellies
Catweazle
1970
as Pickle
Shirley's World
1972
Armchair Theatre
1956
as Ray
Taxi!
1963
as Fred Cuddel
Late Night Theatre
1972
as William
Coppers End
1971
as Sgt. Sam Short
The Val Doonican Music Show
1977
as Self
Away from It All
1973
as Robert
Smillie's People
1996
as Self
Treasure Island
1968
as Billy Bones
Sherlock Holmes
1951
as Inspector Lestrade
The Kids International Show
1982
as Compo
Movies (56)
The Comeback
1978
as Mr. B
The Entertainer
1993
as Billy Rice
Mischief
1969
Carry On Nurse
1959
as Percy "Perc" Hickson
O Lucky Man!
1973
as Supt. Barlow / Insp. Carding
Carry On Sergeant
1958
as Corporal Bill Copping
Carve Her Name with Pride
1958
as NCO Instructor
The Hellfire Club
1961
as Martin
Carry On Regardless
1961
as Mike Weston
The Weaker Sex
1948
as Soldier with Chicken
The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men
1952
as Stutely
School for Secrets
1946
as Paratroop Sergeant (as Bill Rowbotham)
Kiss Me, Kate
1964
as Gangster
The Funny Blokes of British Comedy
2005
as Compo Simmonite (archive footage) (uncredited)
Georgy Girl
1966
as Ted
A City Reborn
1945
That's Carry On!
1977
as Corporal Bill Copping (archive footage) (uncredited)
What's a Carry On?
1998
as Corporal Bill Copping / Perc Hickson / Mike Weston (archive footage) (uncredited)
The Fighting Prince of Donegal
1966
as Officer Powell
Dancing with Crime
1947
as Dave Robinson
In Celebration
1975
as Mr. Shaw
Carry On Cabby
1963
as "Smiley" Sims
On the Fiddle
1961
as Cpl. Gittens
Hotel Sahara
1951
as Private Binns
The Square Ring
1953
as Happy Burns
The Shakedown
1960
as David Spettigue
Breathing Space
1943
as (uncredited)
A Day to Remember
1953
as Shorty Sharpe
The Way to the Stars
1945
as Sgt. 'Nobby' Clarke
Diamond City
1949
as Pinto
Once a Jolly Swagman
1949
as Lag Gibbon
There Was a Young Lady
1953
as Joe
The Rainbow Jacket
1954
as Sam
The Secret of Blood Island
1964
as George Bludgin
Daybreak
1948
as Ron
Easy Money
1948
as Mr. Lee
The Funny Side of Christmas
1982
as Compo
Royal Variety Performance 1984
1984
as Compo
Unfair!
1970
as Worker
My Brother's Keeper
1948
as Syd Evans
The Ship That Died of Shame
1955
as Birdie
Laughterhouse
1984
as Amos
When The Bough Breaks
1947
as Bill Collins
The Last Word on Julie
1964
as Ray
Trottie True
1949
as Joe Jugg
Trouble in the Air
1948
Davy
1958
as Eric
Getting Sam Home
1983
as Compo Simmonite
Last Of The Summer Wine: 30 Years Of Laughs
2022
as Self (archive)
The Girl Who Couldn't Quite
1950
as Tim
Headline Hunters
1968
Not So Dusty
1956
Last of the Summer Wine Christmas Specials 1978-1982
1978
as Compo
Tank Patrol
1941
as Geordie
Last of the Summer Wine: Uncle of the Bride
1986
as Compo
Last of the Summer Wine: Big Day At Dream Acres
1987
as Compo
About 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… With 85 credits spanning from 1941 to 2022, Bill Owen has appeared in 56 films and 29 TV shows.
Fans searching for Bill Owen movies, Bill Owen filmography, or the latest projects starring Bill Owen can stream many of these titles on Bowood.TV, free and in HD, with no subscription required.
Most Popular Bill Owen Movies
- The Comeback (1978) — as Mr. B
- The Entertainer (1993) — as Billy Rice
- Mischief (1969)
- Carry On Nurse (1959) — as Percy "Perc" Hickson
- O Lucky Man! (1973) — as Supt. Barlow / Insp. Carding
Where to Watch Bill Owen Films
Most Bill Owen movies and series are available to stream on Bowood.TV in full HD, completely free and without signup. Browse the complete filmography above to jump directly to any title. For more films and the latest web series featuring Bill Owen, check our movies catalogue and browse page.