Born in Acton, London, England, UK — Mar 14 1914• Died Jul 12 1999

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.…
Browse acting and crew credits across movies and TV — filter and sort to find specific roles.

Meakins

Compo (archive footage)

Billy Rice
Bailey

Pickle



Self

Clip West


George Chambers

Self

Compo


Percy "Perc" Hickson
Self
Fred Cuddel

Shorty Sharpe
Sgt. Sam Short

Ray

Mike Weston

Cpl. Gittens

Supt. Barlow / Insp. Carding
Fred Cuddell

Corporal Bill Copping / Perc Hickson / Mike Weston (archive footage) (uncredited)

Stutely

Amos

"Smiley" Sims

Birdie

Corporal Bill Copping (archive footage) (uncredited)

Corporal Bill Copping

Ted

Sgt. 'Nobby' Clarke
Compo Simmonite (archive footage) (uncredited)

Ron
Self

Soldier with Chicken

Paratroop Sergeant (as Bill Rowbotham)

David Spettigue

Officer Powell

Pinto

Martin

NCO Instructor

Compo

Private Binns

Joe Jugg

Dave Robinson

Mr. Shaw

Compo

Lag Gibbon

Mr. B

Joe

George Bludgin
Inspector Lestrade

Eric

Mr. Lee

Sam

Gangster
Worker

Billy Rice

Self (archive)
Bill Collins

Happy Burns


Syd Evans

Geordie


Compo Simmonite

(uncredited)
Compo
Compo
Ray

Tim