Bill Owen

Bill Rowbotham (March 14, 1914 - July 12, 1999), better known as Bill Owen, was a British 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 continued working right up to his death. When he died of cancer in 1999, his actor son, Tom Owen, took his place in Last of the Summer Wine.