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.
Known for
Last of the Summer Wine
Compo (archive footage)
Last of the Summer Wine
Compo
Tales of the Unexpected
Meakins
Angels
Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads?
George Chambers
This Is Your Life
Self
Performance
Billy Rice
Catweazle
Pickle
Blankety Blank
Easy Money
Mr. Lee
Trottie True
Joe Jugg
In Celebration
Mr. Shaw
Hotel Sahara
Private Binns
Davy
Eric
The Val Doonican Music Show
Self
The Buccaneers
Clip West
Georgy Girl
Ted
Man in a Suitcase
Cilla
Self
Laughterhouse
Amos
The Shakedown
David Spettigue
Noel's House Party
Compo
Daybreak
Ron
Diamond City
Pinto
The Way to the Stars
Sgt. 'Nobby' Clarke
O Lucky Man!
Supt. Barlow / Insp. Carding
The Hellfire Club
Martin
Kiss Me, Kate
Gangster
Drama 61-67
Bailey
Shirley's World
Mischief
School for Secrets
Paratroop Sergeant (as Bill Rowbotham)
The Entertainer
Billy Rice
On the Fiddle
Cpl. Gittens
Carry On Nurse
Percy "Perc" Hickson
Carve Her Name with Pride
NCO Instructor
The Kids International Show
Compo
Breathing Space
(uncredited)
Unfair!
Worker
Carry On Regardless
Mike Weston
The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men
Stutely
Sherlock Holmes
Inspector Lestrade
Carry On Cabby
"Smiley" Sims
Taxi!
Fred Cuddell
Carry On Sergeant
Corporal Bill Copping
Once a Jolly Swagman
Lag Gibbon
Coppers End
Sgt. Sam Short
That's Carry On!
Corporal Bill Copping (archive footage) (uncredited)
Taxi!
Fred Cuddel
A City Reborn
My Brother's Keeper
Syd Evans
Dancing with Crime
Dave Robinson
The Ship That Died of Shame
Birdie
Trouble in the Air
The Comeback
Mr. B
Getting Sam Home
Compo Simmonite
When The Bough Breaks
Bill Collins
Royal Variety Performance 1984
Compo
What's a Carry On?
Corporal Bill Copping / Perc Hickson / Mike Weston (archive footage) (uncredited)
The Rainbow Jacket
Sam
The Square Ring
Happy Burns
The Fighting Prince of Donegal
Officer Powell
Smillie's People
Self
A Day to Remember
Shorty Sharpe
The Weaker Sex
Soldier with Chicken
Last Of The Summer Wine: 30 Years Of Laughs
Self (archive)
The Funny Side of Christmas
Compo
The Secret of Blood Island
George Bludgin
Not So Dusty
The Last Word on Julie
Ray
There Was a Young Lady
Joe
Headline Hunters
The Girl Who Couldn't Quite
Tim
Tank Patrol
Geordie
Last of the Summer Wine Christmas Specials 1978-1982
Compo