Bill Owen
Born in Acton, London, England, UK — Mar 14 1914• Died Jul 12 1999
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Biography
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.…
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Bill Owen's Credits
Browse acting and crew credits across movies and TV — filter and sort to find specific roles.
Tales of the Unexpected
Meakins
Last of the Summer Wine
Compo (archive footage)
Performance
Billy Rice
Drama 61-67
Bailey
Catweazle
Pickle
Angels
Blankety Blank
This Is Your Life
Self
The Buccaneers
Clip West
Man in a Suitcase
Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads?
George Chambers
Cilla
Self
Noel's House Party
Compo
Shirley's World
Carry On Nurse
Percy "Perc" Hickson
The Val Doonican Music Show
Self
Taxi!
Fred Cuddel
A Day to Remember
Shorty Sharpe
Coppers End
Sgt. Sam Short
Armchair Theatre
Ray
Carry On Regardless
Mike Weston
On the Fiddle
Cpl. Gittens
O Lucky Man!
Supt. Barlow / Insp. Carding
Taxi!
Fred Cuddell
What's a Carry On?
Corporal Bill Copping / Perc Hickson / Mike Weston (archive footage) (uncredited)
The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men
Stutely
Laughterhouse
Amos
Carry On Cabby
"Smiley" Sims
The Ship That Died of Shame
Birdie
That's Carry On!
Corporal Bill Copping (archive footage) (uncredited)
Carry On Sergeant
Corporal Bill Copping
Georgy Girl
Ted
The Way to the Stars
Sgt. 'Nobby' Clarke
The Funny Blokes of British Comedy
Compo Simmonite (archive footage) (uncredited)
Daybreak
Ron
Smillie's People
Self
The Weaker Sex
Soldier with Chicken
School for Secrets
Paratroop Sergeant (as Bill Rowbotham)
The Shakedown
David Spettigue
The Fighting Prince of Donegal
Officer Powell
Diamond City
Pinto
The Hellfire Club
Martin
Carve Her Name with Pride
NCO Instructor
Royal Variety Performance 1984
Compo
Hotel Sahara
Private Binns
Trottie True
Joe Jugg
Dancing with Crime
Dave Robinson
In Celebration
Mr. Shaw
The Funny Side of Christmas
Compo
Once a Jolly Swagman
Lag Gibbon
The Comeback
Mr. B
There Was a Young Lady
Joe
The Secret of Blood Island
George Bludgin
Sherlock Holmes
Inspector Lestrade
Davy
Eric
Easy Money
Mr. Lee
The Rainbow Jacket
Sam
Kiss Me, Kate
Gangster
Unfair!
Worker
The Entertainer
Billy Rice
Last Of The Summer Wine: 30 Years Of Laughs
Self (archive)
When The Bough Breaks
Bill Collins
The Square Ring
Happy Burns
A City Reborn
My Brother's Keeper
Syd Evans
Trouble in the Air
Tank Patrol
Geordie
Not So Dusty
Getting Sam Home
Compo Simmonite
Mischief
Breathing Space
(uncredited)
The Kids International Show
Compo
Headline Hunters
Last of the Summer Wine Christmas Specials 1978-1982
Compo
The Last Word on Julie
Ray
The Girl Who Couldn't Quite
Tim