85
Age
53
Movies
22
TV Shows
7.2
Rating
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.
85
Died at
53
Movies
22
TV Shows
7.2
Avg Rating
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.
Last of the Summer Wine
1973
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.
Gender
Male
Birthday
March 14, 1914
Died
July 12, 1999
Birthplace
Acton, London, England, UK
Also Known As
The Last Word on Julie
1964
Trouble in the Air
1948
The Way to the Stars
1945
When The Bough Breaks
1947
The Square Ring
1953
School for Secrets
1946
Getting Sam Home
1983
Trottie True
1949
In Celebration
1975
The Comeback
1978
My Brother's Keeper
1948
Easy Money
1948
The Shakedown
1960
On the Fiddle
1961
Carve Her Name with Pride
1958
Carry On Regardless
1961
Davy
1958
The Hellfire Club
1961
A City Reborn
1945
O Lucky Man!
1973
+ 33 more movies
Tales of the Unexpected
1979
Last of the Summer Wine
1973
Last of the Summer Wine
1973
This Is Your Life
1955
Performance
1991
Angels
1975
Blankety Blank
1979
Cilla
1968
The Buccaneers
1956
Noel's House Party
1991
Man in a Suitcase
1967
Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads?
1973
Catweazle
1970
Drama 61-67
1961
The Val Doonican Music Show
1977
Shirley's World
1972
The Kids International Show
1982
Taxi!
1963
Sherlock Holmes
1951
Coppers End
1971
+ 2 more TV shows