Bill Owen

About

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,...

Known for

Last of the Summer WineSeries • 1973ITV PlayhouseSeries • 1967Tales of the UnexpectedSeries • 1979Thirty-Minute TheatreSeries • 1965ITV Saturday Night TheatreSeries • 1969PerformanceSeries • 1991AngelsSeries • 1975Blankety BlankSeries • 1979Noel's House PartySeries • 1991The BuccaneersSeries • 1956CatweazleSeries • 1970Man in a SuitcaseSeries • 1967Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads?Series • 1973The ComebackMovie • 1978O Lucky Man!Movie • 1973The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie MenMovie • 1952Carry On SergeantMovie • 1958Carry On NurseMovie • 1959That's Carry On!Movie • 1977Georgy GirlMovie • 1966Carve Her Name with PrideMovie • 1958Carry On CabbyMovie • 1963Carry On RegardlessMovie • 1961The Way to the StarsMovie • 1945