1914-03-14 ( 111 years old ) in Acton, London, England, UK
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.
Movies
Last Of The Summer Wine: 30 Years Of Laughs
2022-03-05
The Entertainer
1993-12-04
Laughterhouse
1984-09-01
Getting Sam Home
1983-12-27
The Comeback
1978-06-16
In Celebration
1975-03-17
O Lucky Man!
1973-03-25
Unfair!
1970-11-15
Mischief
1969-12-01
Headline Hunters
1968-09-01
The Fighting Prince of Donegal
1966-10-01
Georgy Girl
1966-08-04
The Secret of Blood Island
1964-12-01
Kiss Me, Kate
1964-04-20
Carry On Cabby
1963-06-01
On the Fiddle
1961-10-10
Carry On Regardless
1961-04-04
The Hellfire Club
1961-02-03
The Shakedown
1960-01-01
Carry On Nurse
1959-01-30
Carry On Sergeant
1958-08-31
Carve Her Name with Pride
1958-02-18
Davy
1958-01-02
Not So Dusty
1956-02-16
The Ship That Died of Shame
1955-04-19
The Rainbow Jacket
1954-05-27
A Day to Remember
1953-11-10
The Square Ring
1953-07-13
There Was a Young Lady
1953-01-01
The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men
1952-05-26
Hotel Sahara
1951-07-09
The Girl Who Couldn't Quite
1950-01-31
Trottie True
1949-09-29
Diamond City
1949-09-20
Once a Jolly Swagman
1949-02-02
Trouble in the Air
1948-11-01
The Weaker Sex
1948-10-11
My Brother's Keeper
1948-08-19
Daybreak
1948-05-18
Easy Money
1948-01-20
When The Bough Breaks
1947-11-19
Dancing with Crime
1947-06-25
School for Secrets
1946-12-23
The Way to the Stars
1945-06-16
A City Reborn
1945-01-01
Breathing Space
1943-09-30
Tank Patrol
1941-06-16
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