Acting · Acton, London, England, UK · Born March 14, 1914
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.
MovieLast Of The Summer Wine: 30 Years Of Laughs
2022
as Self (archive)
The Funny Blokes of British Comedy
2005
as Compo Simmonite (archive footage) (uncredited)
MovieWhat's a Carry On?
1998
as Corporal Bill Copping / Perc Hickson / Mike Weston (archive footage) (uncredited)
Smillie's People
1996
as Self
MovieThe Entertainer
1993
as Billy Rice
TVNoel's House Party
1991
as Compo
TVPerformance
1991
as Billy Rice
Last of the Summer Wine: Big Day At Dream Acres
1987
as Compo
MovieLast of the Summer Wine: Uncle of the Bride
1986
as Compo
MovieRoyal Variety Performance 1984
1984
as Compo
MovieLaughterhouse
1984
as Amos
MovieGetting Sam Home
1983
as Compo Simmonite
MovieThe Funny Side of Christmas
1982
as Compo
The Kids International Show
1982
as Compo
TVTales of the Unexpected
1979
as Meakins
TVBlankety Blank
1979
Last of the Summer Wine Christmas Specials 1978-1982
1978
as Compo
MovieThe Comeback
1978
as Mr. B
MovieThat's Carry On!
1977
as Corporal Bill Copping (archive footage) (uncredited)
The Val Doonican Music Show
1977
as Self
TVAngels
1975
MovieIn Celebration
1975
as Mr. Shaw
Away from It All
1973
as Robert
MovieO Lucky Man!
1973
as Supt. Barlow / Insp. Carding
TVWhatever Happened to the Likely Lads?
1973
as George Chambers
TVLast of the Summer Wine
1973
as Compo (archive footage)
Late Night Theatre
1972
as William
TVShirley's World
1972
Coppers End
1971
as Sgt. Sam Short
Unfair!
1970
as Worker
TVCatweazle
1970
as Pickle
Mischief
1969
TVITV Saturday Night Theatre
1969
as Mr. Hanley
Treasure Island
1968
as Billy Bones
Headline Hunters
1968
TVCilla
1968
as Self
TVMan in a Suitcase
1967
TVITV Playhouse
1967
as Mr Milner
TVHalf Hour Story
1967
as R.J.Smellies
MovieThe Fighting Prince of Donegal
1966
as Officer Powell
MovieGeorgy Girl
1966
as Ted
TVThirty-Minute Theatre
1965
as Henry Jay
MovieThe Secret of Blood Island
1964
as George Bludgin
MovieKiss Me, Kate
1964
as Gangster
The Last Word on Julie
1964
as Ray
Taxi!
1963
as Fred Cuddel
Taxi!
1963
as Fred Cuddell
MovieCarry On Cabby
1963
as "Smiley" Sims
MovieOn the Fiddle
1961
as Cpl. Gittens
MovieCarry On Regardless
1961
as Mike Weston
Drama 61-67
1961
as Bailey
MovieThe Hellfire Club
1961
as Martin
MovieThe Shakedown
1960
as David Spettigue
MovieCarry On Nurse
1959
as Percy "Perc" Hickson
MovieCarry On Sergeant
1958
as Corporal Bill Copping
MovieCarve Her Name with Pride
1958
as NCO Instructor
MovieDavy
1958
as Eric
TVThe Buccaneers
1956
as Clip West
TVArmchair Theatre
1956
as Ray
MovieNot So Dusty
1956
TVThis Is Your Life
1955
as Self
MovieThe Ship That Died of Shame
1955
as Birdie
MovieThe Rainbow Jacket
1954
as Sam
MovieA Day to Remember
1953
as Shorty Sharpe
MovieThe Square Ring
1953
as Happy Burns
MovieThere Was a Young Lady
1953
as Joe
MovieThe Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men
1952
as Stutely
Sherlock Holmes
1951
as Inspector Lestrade
MovieHotel Sahara
1951
as Private Binns
MovieThe Girl Who Couldn't Quite
1950
as Tim
MovieTrottie True
1949
as Joe Jugg
MovieDiamond City
1949
as Pinto
MovieOnce a Jolly Swagman
1949
as Lag Gibbon
MovieTrouble in the Air
1948
MovieThe Weaker Sex
1948
as Soldier with Chicken
MovieMy Brother's Keeper
1948
as Syd Evans
MovieDaybreak
1948
as Ron
MovieEasy Money
1948
as Mr. Lee
When The Bough Breaks
1947
as Bill Collins
MovieDancing with Crime
1947
as Dave Robinson
MovieSchool for Secrets
1946
as Paratroop Sergeant (as Bill Rowbotham)
MovieThe Way to the Stars
1945
as Sgt. 'Nobby' Clarke
MovieA City Reborn
1945
MovieBreathing Space
1943
as (uncredited)
Tank Patrol
1941
as Geordie
