Bill Owen
Acting
85
Acting Credits
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 ...
Known For
Filmography
Last Of The Summer Wine: 30 Years Of Laughs
2022
as Self (archive)
The Funny Blokes of British Comedy
2005
as Compo Simmonite (archive footage) (uncredited)
What's a Carry On?
1998
as Corporal Bill Copping / Perc Hickson / Mike Weston (archive footage) (uncredited)
Smillie's People
1996
as Self
The Entertainer
1993
as Billy Rice
Performance
1991
as Billy Rice
Noel's House Party
1991
as Compo
Last of the Summer Wine: Big Day at Dream Acres
1987
as Compo
Last of the Summer Wine: Uncle of the Bride
1986
as Compo
Laughterhouse
1984
as Amos
Royal Variety Performance 1984
1984
as Compo
Last of the Summer Wine: Getting Sam Home
1983
as Compo Simmonite
The Funny Side of Christmas
1982
as Compo
The Kids International Show
1982
as Compo
Tales of the Unexpected
1979
as Meakins
Blankety Blank
1979
The Comeback
1978
as Mr. B
Last of the Summer Wine Christmas Specials 1978-1982
1978
as Compo
That's Carry On!
1977
as Corporal Bill Copping (archive footage) (uncredited)
The Val Doonican Music Show
1977
as Self
In Celebration
1975
as Mr. Shaw
Angels
1975
O Lucky Man!
1973
as Supt. Barlow / Insp. Carding
Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads?
1973
as George Chambers
Last of the Summer Wine
1973
as Compo (archive footage)
Last of the Summer Wine
1973
as Compo
Away from It All
1973
as Robert
Shirley's World
1972
Late Night Theatre
1972
as William
Coppers End
1971
as Sgt. Sam Short
Unfair!
1970
as Worker
Catweazle
1970
as Pickle
Mischief
1969
ITV Saturday Night Theatre
1969
as Mr. Hanley
Headline Hunters
1968
Cilla
1968
as Self
Treasure Island
1968
as Billy Bones
Man in a Suitcase
1967
ITV Playhouse
1967
as Mr Milner
Half Hour Story
1967
as R.J.Smellies
Georgy Girl
1966
as Ted
The Fighting Prince of Donegal
1966
as Officer Powell
Thirty-Minute Theatre
1965
as Henry Jay
The Secret of Blood Island
1964
as George Bludgin
Kiss Me, Kate
1964
as Gangster
The Last Word on Julie
1964
as Ray
Carry On Cabby
1963
as "Smiley" Sims
Taxi!
1963
as Fred Cuddell
Carry On Regardless
1961
as Mike Weston
The Hellfire Club
1961
as Martin
On the Fiddle
1961
as Cpl. Gittens
Drama 61-67
1961
as Bailey
The Shakedown
1960
as David Spettigue
Carry On Nurse
1959
as Percy "Perc" Hickson
Carry On Sergeant
1958
as Corporal Bill Copping
Carve Her Name with Pride
1958
as NCO Instructor
Davy
1958
as Eric
Not So Dusty
1956
The Buccaneers
1956
as Clip West
Armchair Theatre
1956
as Ray
The Ship That Died of Shame
1955
as Birdie
This Is Your Life
1955
as Self
The Rainbow Jacket
1954
as Sam
The Square Ring
1953
as Happy Burns
A Day to Remember
1953
as Shorty Sharpe
There Was a Young Lady
1953
as Joe
The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men
1952
as Stutely
Hotel Sahara
1951
as Private Binns
Sherlock Holmes
1951
as Inspector Lestrade
The Girl Who Couldn't Quite
1950
as Tim
Diamond City
1949
as Pinto
Once a Jolly Swagman
1949
as Lag Gibbon
Trottie True
1949
as Joe Jugg
Daybreak
1948
as Ron
My Brother's Keeper
1948
as Syd Evans
Easy Money
1948
as Mr. Lee
Trouble in the Air
1948
The Weaker Sex
1948
as Soldier with Chicken
Dancing with Crime
1947
as Dave Robinson
When The Bough Breaks
1947
as Bill Collins
School for Secrets
1946
as Paratroop Sergeant (as Bill Rowbotham)
The Way to the Stars
1945
as Sgt. 'Nobby' Clarke
A City Reborn
1945
Breathing Space
1943
as (uncredited)
Tank Patrol
1941
as Geordie