Post by ChasWeazle on Dec 22, 2019 0:50:31 GMT
William John Owen Rowbotham, MBE (14 March 1914 – 12 July 1999), known professionally as Bill Owen, was an English actor and songwriter.
He was the father of actor Tom Owen. He is best known for portraying Compo Simmonitein in the Yorkshire-based BBC comedy series Last of the Summer Wine for 27 years. He died in July 1999, his last appearance on-screen being shown in April 2000.
Bill served in the Royal Army Ordnance Corps during World War II, where he was injured in an explosion during a battle training course.
During the 1960s, Bill had a successful second career as a songwriter, with compositions including the hit "Marianne", recorded by Cliff Richard.
At this time he also collaborated with songwriter Tony Russell on the musical The Match girls about the London matchgirls strike of 1888.
He co-starred as Spike Milligan's straight man in the West End hit Son of Oblomov in 1964.
He also recorded a novelty song with Kathy Staff in 1983 called "Nora Batty's Stockings"!
He is buried in the churchyard of St John's Parish Church, Upperthong, near his beloved town of Holmfirth in Yorkshire, the home of Last of the Summer Wine.
His co-star Peter Sallis was buried next to him after his death aged 96 in June 2017.
TV included..
In 1971, Coppers End as Sergeant Sam Short
1973 to 1974 Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads? as George Chambers
1973 to 2000 Last of the Summer Wine as Compo Simmonitein (185 episodes).
Films included...
The Way to the Stars (1945) – 'Nobby' Clarke (as Bill Rowbotham)
Perfect Strangers (1945) – (uncredited)
School for Secrets (1946) – Paratroop Sergeant (as Bill Rowbotham)
Dancing with Crime (1947) – Dave Robinson (as Bill Rowbotham)
Holiday Camp (1947) – Bit Role (uncredited)
When the Bough Breaks (1947) – Bill Collins
Easy Money (1948) – Mr. Lee
Daybreak (1948) – Ron
My Brother's Keeper (1948) – Syd Evans
The Weaker Sex (1948) – Soldier with Chicken
Once a Jolly Swagman (1949) – Lag Gibbon
Trottie True (1949) – Joe Jugg
Diamond City (1949) – Pinto
The Girl Who Couldn't Quite (1950) – Tim
The Astonished Heart (1950) – Mr. Burton (uncredited)
Hotel Sahara (1951) – Private Binns
The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men (1952) – Stutely
The Square Ring (1953) – Happy Burns
There Was a Young Lady (1953) – Joe
A Day to Remember (1953) – Shorty Sharpe
The Rainbow Jacket (1954) – Sam
The Ship That Died of Shame (1955) – Birdie
Not So Dusty (1956) – Dusty Grey
Davy (1958) – Eric
Carve Her Name with Pride (1958) – N.C.O. Instructor
Carry On Sergeant (1958) – Corporal Bill Copping
Carry On Nurse (1959) – Percy 'Perc' Hickson
The Shakedown (1960) – David Spettigue
The Hellfire Club (1961) – Martin
Carry On Regardless (1961) – Mike Weston
On the Fiddle (1961) – Corporal Gittens
Carry On Cabby (1963) – Smiley Sims
The Masque of the Red Death (1964) – Male Dancer (uncredited)
The Secret of Blood Island (1964) – Bludgin
Georgy Girl (1966) – Ted
The Fighting Prince of Donegal (1966) – Officer Powell
Headline Hunters (1968) – Henry
O Lucky Man! (1973) – Supt. Barlow / Insp. Carding
In Celebration (1975) – Mr. Shaw
The Comeback (1978) – Mr. B
We remember him in the second episode of the second series of Catweazle 'Duck Halt', as Mr Pickle the scrap merchant.
He was the father of actor Tom Owen. He is best known for portraying Compo Simmonitein in the Yorkshire-based BBC comedy series Last of the Summer Wine for 27 years. He died in July 1999, his last appearance on-screen being shown in April 2000.
Bill served in the Royal Army Ordnance Corps during World War II, where he was injured in an explosion during a battle training course.
During the 1960s, Bill had a successful second career as a songwriter, with compositions including the hit "Marianne", recorded by Cliff Richard.
At this time he also collaborated with songwriter Tony Russell on the musical The Match girls about the London matchgirls strike of 1888.
He co-starred as Spike Milligan's straight man in the West End hit Son of Oblomov in 1964.
He also recorded a novelty song with Kathy Staff in 1983 called "Nora Batty's Stockings"!
He is buried in the churchyard of St John's Parish Church, Upperthong, near his beloved town of Holmfirth in Yorkshire, the home of Last of the Summer Wine.
His co-star Peter Sallis was buried next to him after his death aged 96 in June 2017.
TV included..
In 1971, Coppers End as Sergeant Sam Short
1973 to 1974 Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads? as George Chambers
1973 to 2000 Last of the Summer Wine as Compo Simmonitein (185 episodes).
Films included...
The Way to the Stars (1945) – 'Nobby' Clarke (as Bill Rowbotham)
Perfect Strangers (1945) – (uncredited)
School for Secrets (1946) – Paratroop Sergeant (as Bill Rowbotham)
Dancing with Crime (1947) – Dave Robinson (as Bill Rowbotham)
Holiday Camp (1947) – Bit Role (uncredited)
When the Bough Breaks (1947) – Bill Collins
Easy Money (1948) – Mr. Lee
Daybreak (1948) – Ron
My Brother's Keeper (1948) – Syd Evans
The Weaker Sex (1948) – Soldier with Chicken
Once a Jolly Swagman (1949) – Lag Gibbon
Trottie True (1949) – Joe Jugg
Diamond City (1949) – Pinto
The Girl Who Couldn't Quite (1950) – Tim
The Astonished Heart (1950) – Mr. Burton (uncredited)
Hotel Sahara (1951) – Private Binns
The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men (1952) – Stutely
The Square Ring (1953) – Happy Burns
There Was a Young Lady (1953) – Joe
A Day to Remember (1953) – Shorty Sharpe
The Rainbow Jacket (1954) – Sam
The Ship That Died of Shame (1955) – Birdie
Not So Dusty (1956) – Dusty Grey
Davy (1958) – Eric
Carve Her Name with Pride (1958) – N.C.O. Instructor
Carry On Sergeant (1958) – Corporal Bill Copping
Carry On Nurse (1959) – Percy 'Perc' Hickson
The Shakedown (1960) – David Spettigue
The Hellfire Club (1961) – Martin
Carry On Regardless (1961) – Mike Weston
On the Fiddle (1961) – Corporal Gittens
Carry On Cabby (1963) – Smiley Sims
The Masque of the Red Death (1964) – Male Dancer (uncredited)
The Secret of Blood Island (1964) – Bludgin
Georgy Girl (1966) – Ted
The Fighting Prince of Donegal (1966) – Officer Powell
Headline Hunters (1968) – Henry
O Lucky Man! (1973) – Supt. Barlow / Insp. Carding
In Celebration (1975) – Mr. Shaw
The Comeback (1978) – Mr. B
We remember him in the second episode of the second series of Catweazle 'Duck Halt', as Mr Pickle the scrap merchant.