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 Butlins 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 BBCs 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.
Percy 'Perc' Hickson
Film 1959
Corporal Bill Copping
Film 1958
Stutely
Film 1952
George Bludgin
Film 1964
NCO Instructor
Film 1958
Private Binns
Film 1951
Ron
Film 1948
David Spettigue
Film 1960
Sam
Film 1954
Syd Evans
Film 1948
Dave Robinson
Film 1947
Happy Burns
Film 1953
Birdie
Film 1955
Martin
Film 1961
Amos
Film 1984
Mr. Lee
Film 1948
Lag Gibbon
Film 1949
Self (archive)
Film 2022
Mr. B
Film 1978
Mr. Shaw
Film 1975
Cpl. Gittens
Film 1961
Eric
Film 1958
Bill Collins
Film 1947
Compo
Film 1983
Worker
Film 1970
Film 1956
Joe Jugg
Film 1949
Film 1945
Tim
Film 1950
Joe
Film 1953
Film 1968
Film 1969
Film 1948
Geordie
Film 1941
Soldier with Chicken
Film 1948
Gangster
Film 1964
Billy Rice
Film 1993
(uncredited)
Film 1943
Officer Powell
Film 1966
George Chambers
Tv 1973
Meakins
Tv 1979
Compo (archive footage)
Tv 1973
Clip West
Tv 1956
Pickle
Tv 1970
Tv 1972
Tv 1975
Tv 1967
Tv 1971
Tv 1979
Self
Tv 1968
Inspector Lestrade
Tv 1951
Compo
Tv 1991
Himself (archive footage)
Tv 1973
Compo
Tv 1973