Bill Owen
|
|
Bill Rowbotham (March 14, 1914 - July 12, 1999), better known as Bill Owen, was an English actor and songwriter.
Born in London, he made his first film appearance in 1945, but real fame came to him only in the 1970s, when he took the starring role of Compo in the long-running British sitcom, Last of the Summer Wine. Owen's character is a scruffy working-class pensioner, often made use of by his two friends for dirty jobs. He wore a woollen cap and spent much of his time lusting after dowdy housewife, Nora Batty. As Compo, Owen saw off several co-stars.
During the 1960s, Owen had a successful second career as a songwriter, with compositions including the hit, Marianne, recorded by Cliff Richard.
Owen was an active supporter of the Labour Party.
He continued working right up to his death from cancer in 1999. His actor son, Tom Owen, was written into the series after his death. The storyline was that Compo knew he was terminally ill, but chose not to tell Truly and Clegg, instead writing to his son with whom he has lost contact. The son however doesn't make it in time to go to his fathers funeral, but stays in the area anyhow. Bill is buried in the churchyard of St John’s Church, Upperthong.