Bill Owen
Actor
Born March 14, 1914 in Acton, London, England, UK
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.
Filmography
Last Of The Summer Wine: 30 Years Of Laughs
Self (archive)
What's a Carry On?
Corporal Bill Copping / Perc Hickson / Mike Weston (archive footage) (uncredited)
The Entertainer
Billy Rice
Noel's House Party
Compo
Performance
Billy Rice
Royal Variety Performance 1984
Compo
Laughterhouse
Amos
Getting Sam Home
Compo Simmonite
The Funny Side of Christmas
Compo
Tales of the Unexpected
Meakins
Blankety Blank
The Comeback
Mr. B
That's Carry On!
Corporal Bill Copping (archive footage) (uncredited)
Angels
In Celebration
Mr. Shaw
O Lucky Man!
Supt. Barlow / Insp. Carding
Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads?
George Chambers
Last of the Summer Wine
Compo (archive footage)
Shirley's World
Catweazle
Pickle
ITV Saturday Night Theatre
Mr. Hanley
Cilla
Self
Man in a Suitcase
ITV Playhouse
Mr Milner
Half Hour Story
R.J.Smellies
The Fighting Prince of Donegal
Officer Powell
Georgy Girl
Ted
Thirty-Minute Theatre
Henry Jay
The Secret of Blood Island
George Bludgin
Kiss Me, Kate
Gangster
Carry On Cabby
"Smiley" Sims
On the Fiddle
Cpl. Gittens
Carry On Regardless
Mike Weston
The Hellfire Club
Martin
The Shakedown
David Spettigue
Carry On Nurse
Percy "Perc" Hickson
Carry On Sergeant
Corporal Bill Copping
Carve Her Name with Pride
NCO Instructor
Davy
Eric
The Buccaneers
Clip West
Armchair Theatre
Ray
Not So Dusty
This Is Your Life
Self
The Ship That Died of Shame
Birdie
The Rainbow Jacket
Sam
A Day to Remember
Shorty Sharpe
The Square Ring
Happy Burns
There Was a Young Lady
Joe
The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men
Stutely
Hotel Sahara
Private Binns
The Girl Who Couldn't Quite
Tim
Trottie True
Joe Jugg
Diamond City
Pinto
Once a Jolly Swagman
Lag Gibbon
Trouble in the Air
The Weaker Sex
Soldier with Chicken
My Brother's Keeper
Syd Evans
Daybreak
Ron
Easy Money
Mr. Lee
Dancing with Crime
Dave Robinson
School for Secrets
Paratroop Sergeant (as Bill Rowbotham)
The Way to the Stars
Sgt. 'Nobby' Clarke
A City Reborn
Breathing Space
(uncredited)