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