1914Born, Acton
80Credits
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 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),…
Known for
O Lucky Man!Supt. Barlow / Insp. Carding
Carry On SergeantCorporal Bill Copping
The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie MenStutely
Carry On Cabby"Smiley" Sims
Carry On NursePercy "Perc" Hickson2005The Funny Blokes of British ComedyCompo Simmonite (archive footage) (uncredited)Movie
2001Great Comedy MomentsCompo (archive footage)Movie
1998What's a Carry On?Corporal Bill Copping / Perc Hickson / Mike Weston (archive footage) (uncredited)Movie
1993The EntertainerBilly RiceMovie
1987Last of the Summer Wine: Big Day at Dream AcresCompoMovie
1986Last of the Summer Wine: Uncle of the BrideCompoMovie
1984Royal Variety Performance 1984CompoMovie
1984LaughterhouseAmosMovie
1983Last of the Summer Wine: Getting Sam HomeCompo SimmoniteMovie
1982The Funny Side of ChristmasCompoMovie
1978Last of the Summer Wine Christmas Specials 1978-1982CompoMovie
1978The ComebackMr. BMovie
1977That's Carry On!Corporal Bill Copping (archive footage) (uncredited)Movie
1975In CelebrationMr. ShawMovie
1973O Lucky Man!Supt. Barlow / Insp. CardingMovie
1972KadoyngJack FlittonMovie
1970Unfair!WorkerMovie
1969MischiefMovie
1968Headline HuntersMovie
1966The Fighting Prince of DonegalOfficer PowellMovie
1966Georgy GirlTedMovie
1964The Secret of Blood IslandGeorge BludginMovie
1964Kiss Me, KateGangsterMovie
1964The Last Word on JulieRayMovie
1963Carry On Cabby"Smiley" SimsMovie
1961On the FiddleCpl. GittensMovie
1961Carry On RegardlessMike WestonMovie
1961The Hellfire ClubMartinMovie
1960The ShakedownDavid SpettigueMovie
1959Carry On NursePercy "Perc" HicksonMovie
1958Carry On SergeantCorporal Bill CoppingMovie
1958Carve Her Name with PrideNCO InstructorMovie
1958DavyEricMovie
1956Not So DustyMovie
1955The Ship That Died of ShameBirdieMovie
1954The Rainbow JacketSamMovie
1953A Day to RememberShorty SharpeMovie
1953The Square RingHappy BurnsMovie
1953There Was a Young LadyJoeMovie
1952The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie MenStutelyMovie
1951Hotel SaharaPrivate BinnsMovie
1950The Girl Who Couldn't QuiteTimMovie
1949Trottie TrueJoe JuggMovie
1949Diamond CityPintoMovie
1949Once a Jolly SwagmanLag GibbonMovie
1948Trouble in the AirMovie
1948The Weaker SexSoldier with ChickenMovie
1948My Brother's KeeperSyd EvansMovie
1948DaybreakRonMovie
1948Easy MoneyMr. LeeMovie
1947When The Bough BreaksBill CollinsMovie
1946School for SecretsParatroop Sergeant (as Bill Rowbotham)Movie
1945The Way to the StarsSgt. 'Nobby' ClarkeMovie
1945A City RebornMovie
1943Breathing Space(uncredited)Movie
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