
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.

Cilla

Getting Sam Home

What's a Carry On?

Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads?

Catweazle

Noel's House Party

The Square Ring

Last of the Summer Wine

The Ship That Died of Shame

Trottie True

Trouble in the Air

The Entertainer

School for Secrets

Man in a Suitcase

The Rainbow Jacket

A Day to Remember

オー! ラッキーマン

Tales of the Unexpected

Carry On Cabby

Carry On Nurse

Carry On Sergeant

This Is Your Life

Not So Dusty

Carry On Regardless

The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men

Georgy Girl

The Way to the Stars

My Brother's Keeper

Daybreak

Easy Money

The Girl Who Couldn't Quite

There Was a Young Lady

The Weaker Sex

Performance

Carve Her Name with Pride

Dancing with Crime

The Shakedown

That's Carry On!

The Comeback

Once a Jolly Swagman

The Buccaneers

Hotel Sahara

On the Fiddle

The Fighting Prince of Donegal

Diamond City

Laughterhouse

Davy

Shirley's World

In Celebration

The Hellfire Club

Blankety Blank

Angels

The Secret of Blood Island

Last Of The Summer Wine: 30 Years Of Laughs

A City Reborn

Kiss Me, Kate

Breathing Space

Royal Variety Performance 1984

The Funny Side of Christmas