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Last updated on the 24 April 2024 by Maeve
Mini Biography
Born: 6 January 1955, Consett, County Durham, England.Â
Rowan Atkinson is best known for his iconic character Mr. Bean, which he created and played in the television series of the same name.
Rowan Atkinson attended Newcastle University, where he studied electrical engineering. However, he soon realized that his true passion was comedy, and he began performing at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in the late 1970s.
In 1979, Rowan Atkinson became a regular on the BBC sketch comedy show “Not the Nine O’Clock News,” which helped launch his career. He later starred in the television series “Blackadder,” which was a critical and commercial success.
However, it was his creation of the character Mr. Bean that made Atkinson a household name. The character, a bumbling and awkward man-child, first appeared in a television series in 1990 and quickly became a global phenomenon. Atkinson also starred in two feature films as Mr. Bean, which were also successful.
In addition to his work on television and in film, Atkinson has also appeared in numerous stage productions, including “Oliver!” and “The Sneeze.” He has also lent his voice to several animated films, including “The Lion King” and “Johnny English.”
Atkinson has received numerous awards for his work, including a BAFTA for his performance in “Blackadder” and an International Emmy for “Mr. Bean.” He was also appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2013 for his services to drama and charity.
Despite his success, Atkinson is known for being a private person and rarely gives interviews. He has been married twice and has two children. In his free time, he enjoys collecting cars and is a skilled racing driver.
Suggested viewing
Blackadder Goes Forth (1989)
Bftv 9.5 / IMDb 8.8
In the trenches of World War I, Captain Edmund Blackadder, a cynical and self-serving officer, desperately seeks to escape the horrors of the conflict. Accompanied by his dim-witted servant, Baldrick, and the naive and idealistic Lieutenant George, Blackadder concocts elaborate schemes to avoid going “over the top” into the deadly no-man’s-land. However, his plans are invariably foiled by incompetence, bad luck, and the sheer absurdity of the war, leaving him trapped in the trenches and facing the grim reality of death.
Top cast: Rowan Atkinson, Tony Robinson, Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie, Tim McInnerny, Gabrielle Glaister, Miranda Richardson, Rik Mayall, Geoffrey Palmer, Jeremy Hardy.
Blackadder II (1986)
Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 8.6 In the Tudor era, Lord Edmund Blackadder finds himself amidst the eccentric court of Queen Elizabeth I, a monarch more concerned with fashion and frivolous pursuits than the affairs of state. With his trusty (but dim-witted) sidekicks, Baldrick and Lord Percy Percy, Blackadder navigates the Queen’s capricious whims and Lord Melchett’s relentless attempts to outshine him, all while hatching schemes to win the Queen’s affections and secure his own position. Top cast: Rowan Atkinson, Tony Robinson, Tim McInnerny, Miranda Richardson, Stephen Fry, Patsy Byrne, Tony Aitken, Hugh Laurie, Miriam Margolyes, Tom Baker. |
Keeping Mum (2005) |
The Thin Blue Line (1995)
Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.5 In the fictional English town of Gasforth, the uniformed squad, led by the anachronistic Inspector Raymond Fowler, and the CID, led by the bumbling Detective Inspector Derek Grim, are constantly at odds, often clashing over their methods and approaches to policing. Amidst this comedic rivalry, the police officers grapple with various challenges, from maintaining order in the town to dealing with the eccentricities of their colleagues, creating a series of hilarious mishaps and absurd situations. Top cast: Rowan Atkinson, Serena Evans, David Haig, James Dreyfus, Mina Anwar, Mark Addy, Rudolph Walker, Kevin Allen. |
Bean (1997)
Bftv 8.0 / IMDb 6.5 Well-meaning yet clumsy and destructive Mr. Bean, a security guard at the Royal National Gallery in London, is set to be fired for his sleepiness and mishaps. However, the chairman’s fondness for Bean prevents his dismissal, and he instead is sent to Los Angeles under false credentials to deliver the painting “Whistler’s Mother” to the Grierson Art Gallery. Bean’s chaos-causing ways continue in America, causing mayhem and hilarity as he navigates the unfamiliar culture and the responsibility of transporting the valuable artwork. Top cast: Rowan Atkinson, Peter MacNicol, Pamela Reed, Tricia Vessey, Andrew Lawrence, Harris Yulin, Burt Reynolds, Richard Gant, Chris Ellis. |
The Black Adder (1983)
Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 8.0 In the medieval era, Prince Edmund, the Black Adder, navigates the treacherous political landscape of the royal court, constantly scheming to improve his standing and seize the throne. Accompanied by his dimwitted but loyal retainer, Baldrick, and his cunning but often misguided plans, Edmund’s attempts at advancement lead to hilarious mishaps and misadventures, exposing the absurdities of power and the foibles of monarchy. Top cast: Rowan Atkinson, Tony Robinson, Tim McInnerny, Brian Blessed, Elspet Gray, Robert East, Patrick Allen, Bert Parnaby, Peter Cook. |
Johnny English (2003)
Bftv 8.0 / IMDb 6.2 In the midst of a string of unfortunate events, Johnny English, a bumbling but well-meaning MI7 agent, finds himself as the last hope to prevent the theft of the Crown Jewels. Despite his clumsiness and lack of competence, Johnny embarks on a mission to thwart the evil plans of Pascal Sauvage, a French prison mogul seeking revenge against the British government. Along the way, Johnny encounters Interpol agent Lorna Campbell, who assists him in his mission while providing a sense of order and competence to his chaotic antics. Top cast: Rowan Atkinson, Natalie Imbruglia, Ben Miller, John Malkovich, Greg Wise, Tasha de Vasconcelos, Douglas McFerran, Steve Nicholson, Terence Harvey. |
Black Adder The Third (1987)
Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 0.0
In the Regency era, Edmund Blackadder, once a nobleman, now finds himself relegated to the role of a butler to the dim-witted and self-indulgent Prince Regent. Amidst the extravagance and follies of the court, Blackadder’s sharp wit and cynical pragmatism are put to the test as he navigates the Prince’s eccentricities and schemes to maintain his position and escape his servitude. His efforts often lead to comical mishaps and satirical jabs at the excesses and hypocrisies of the ruling class.
Top cast: Rowan Atkinson, Tony Robinson, Hugh Laurie, Helen Atkinson Wood, Robbie Coltrane, Hugh Paddick, Miranda Richardson, Stephen Fry, Tim McInnerny, Kenneth Connor, Nigel Planer.
Maigret (2016)
Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.8 The British television series follows the detective Jules Maigret as he tackles perplexing murder cases in 1950s Paris. Maigret, known for his unique intuition and keen observation skills, delves into the minds of the suspects and meticulously examines seemingly disjointed clues to unearth the truth behind the crimes. Top cast: Rowan Atkinson, Shaun Dingwall, Leo Staar, Lucy Cohu, Mark Heap, Hugh Simon, Aidan McArdle, Colin Mace, Matt Devere, Kevin McNally. Similar to
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Full filmography (@Wikipedia)
Rowan Atkinson Gallery
