Bill Owen

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: Acting
Birthday: 1914-03-14
Place of Birth: Acton, London, England, UK
Also Known As: Билл Оуэн, William John Owen Rowbotham

Movies List of Bill Owen

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Carry On Nurse

1959 Movie
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Carry On Sergeant

1958 Movie
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Carry On Regardless

1961 Movie
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Georgy Girl

1966 Movie
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The Way to the Stars

1945 Movie
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Hotel Sahara

1951 Movie
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Daybreak

1948 Movie
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The Shakedown

1960 Movie
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Carry On Cabby

1963 Movie
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The Rainbow Jacket

1954 Movie
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My Brother's Keeper

1948 Movie
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Dancing with Crime

1947 Movie
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The Square Ring

1953 Movie
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Diamond City

1949 Movie
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The Hellfire Club

1961 Movie
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Laughterhouse

1984 Movie
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Easy Money

1948 Movie
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Once a Jolly Swagman

1949 Movie
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The Comeback

1978 Movie
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In Celebration

1975 Movie
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On the Fiddle

1961 Movie
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Davy

1958 Movie
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When The Bough Breaks

1947 Movie
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A Day to Remember

1953 Movie
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Getting Sam Home

1983 Movie
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Unfair!

1970 Movie
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Not So Dusty

1956 Movie
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Trottie True

1949 Movie
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A City Reborn

1945 Movie
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Headline Hunters

1968 Movie
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Mischief

1969 Movie
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O Lucky Man!

1973 Movie
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Trouble in the Air

1948 Movie
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Tank Patrol

1941 Movie
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The Weaker Sex

1948 Movie
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Kiss Me, Kate

1964 Movie
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The Entertainer

1993 Movie
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School for Secrets

1946 Movie
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Breathing Space

1943 Movie