Rowan Atkinson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Rowan Atkinson
Atkinson at the premiere of Johnny English Reborn in September 2011
Birth name	Rowan Sebastian Atkinson
Born	(1955-01-06) 6 January 1955 (age 70) Consett, County Durham, England
Medium	Television film stand-up
Alma mater	Newcastle University The Queen's College, Oxford
Years active	1978–present
Children	3
Relative(s)	Rodney Atkinson (brother)
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Rowan Sebastian Atkinson CBE (born 6 January 1955) is a famous English actor, comedian, and writer. He is best known for playing the main characters in the TV shows Blackadder (1983–1989) and Mr. Bean (1990–1995). He also starred in the Johnny English movies (2003–present).

Atkinson first became well-known on the BBC sketch comedy show Not the Nine O'Clock News (1979–1982). For this, he won a British Academy Television Award for Best Entertainment Performance in 1981. He has appeared in many films, including the James Bond movie Never Say Never Again (1983) and The Witches (1990). You might also remember him from Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994) and Love Actually (2003). He was the voice of Zazu in Disney's animated film The Lion King (1994).

Rowan Atkinson played Mr. Bean in the movies Bean (1997) and Mr. Bean's Holiday (2007). He also voiced Mr. Bean in Mr. Bean: The Animated Series (2002–2019). He was Inspector Raymond Fowler in the BBC show The Thin Blue Line (1995–1996). Later, he played French police commissioner Jules Maigret in ITV's Maigret (2016–2017). On stage, he played Fagin in the musical Oliver! in London's West End in 2009.

In 2003, The Observer newspaper named Atkinson one of the 50 funniest actors in British comedy. In 2005, other comedians voted him among the top 50 comedians ever. He often works with writer Richard Curtis and composer Howard Goodall. He met them both at Oxford University. Besides his BAFTA, he won an Olivier Award in 1981 for his theatre show Rowan Atkinson in Revue. In 2013, he was made a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) for his work in drama and charity.

Early Life and Education

Rowan Atkinson was born in Consett, County Durham, England, on 6 January 1955. He was the youngest of four boys. His father, Eric Atkinson, was a farmer and company director, and his mother was Ella May.

Atkinson grew up in the Anglican faith. He went to Durham Chorister School and then St Bees School. His older brother, Rodney, and future Prime Minister Tony Blair also went to Durham Choristers. After getting excellent grades in science, he studied Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Newcastle University. He earned his degree in 1975. He then got a master's degree in Electrical Engineering from The Queen's College, Oxford in 1975. His father had also studied at this college.

Atkinson started a PhD but soon decided to focus on acting. He first gained attention at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 1976. He had already written and performed comedy sketches at Oxford University. There, he met writer Richard Curtis and composer Howard Goodall, who he would work with throughout his career.

Career in Entertainment

Radio Shows

In 1979, Atkinson starred in a comedy series for BBC Radio 3 called The Atkinson People. In this show, he played different fictional famous people in funny interviews. Atkinson and Richard Curtis wrote the series.

Television Success

Atkinson's first TV appearance was in a pilot show called Canned Laughter in 1979. He became more widely known after performing at The Secret Policeman's Ball in June 1979, which was shown on the BBC. He also did funny skits with stars like Elton John and Kate Bush.

In October 1979, Atkinson joined Not the Nine O'Clock News on the BBC. He was one of the main writers and performers on this popular sketch show.

Blackadder

The success of Not the Nine O'Clock News led to Atkinson starring as Edmund Blackadder in the BBC comedy Blackadder. His co-stars included Tony Robinson as his sidekick, Baldrick, and also Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie.

The first series, The Black Adder (1983), was set in medieval times. Blackadder was a bit silly and innocent in this series. The second series, Blackadder II (1986), changed the character. This time, Blackadder was a clever and sneaky anti-hero in the Elizabethan era. Many people loved his sarcastic jokes.

Two more series followed: Blackadder the Third (1987), set in the Regency era, and Blackadder Goes Forth (1989), set during World War I. Blackadder became one of the BBC's most successful comedies. It also had special episodes like Blackadder's Christmas Carol (1988) and Blackadder: Back & Forth (1999). The final scene of "Blackadder Goes Forth," where the characters bravely charge into battle, is very famous and moving.

Mr. Bean

Atkinson in 1997, promoting Bean. Mr. Bean is a character many people connect with British culture.

Rowan Atkinson's other famous character is the clumsy Mr. Bean. He first appeared on TV on New Year's Day in 1990. Mr. Bean is often compared to silent film stars like Buster Keaton. Atkinson says he was inspired by Jacques Tati's character, Monsieur Hulot.

Atkinson describes Mr. Bean as "entirely selfish and self-centred." He acts like a child in a grown-up's body. Many more Mr. Bean TV specials were made until 1995. The character then starred in two movies: Bean (1997) and Mr. Bean's Holiday (2007). Atkinson also voiced the character in Mr. Bean: The Animated Series (2002–2019).

In 2012, Atkinson said he might stop playing Mr. Bean because he felt he was getting too old for such a childlike role. However, in 2016, he said he would never truly retire the character. In 2018, he received YouTube's Diamond Play Button for the Mr. Bean channel, which had over 10 million subscribers. Mr. Bean is also very popular on Facebook, with millions of followers.

Other TV Roles

Atkinson played Inspector Raymond Fowler in The Thin Blue Line (1995–96), a comedy show about a police station. He also appeared in commercials for brands like Kronenbourg and Barclaycard. His character in the Barclaycard ads, Richard Lathum, inspired his role in the Johnny English movies.

In 1999, he played a version of the Doctor in The Curse of Fatal Death, a special Doctor Who episode for the charity event Comic Relief. In 2011, he drove a Kia Cee'd on the BBC show Top Gear, setting a very fast lap time.

Atkinson, as Mr. Bean, also performed a funny sketch at the 2012 Summer Olympics opening ceremony in London. He played a single note on a synthesizer during the "Chariots of Fire" performance. In his dream, he joined the runners from the famous film and beat them by riding in a taxi!

In 2016, Atkinson starred as Jules Maigret in the ITV series Maigret, playing a French police commissioner.

Animated Mr. Bean

In 2014, ITV announced a new animated series of Mr. Bean, with Rowan Atkinson providing the voice. A fifth series of Mr. Bean: The Animated Series was released in 2019. All five series have been sold to children's channels around the world, including China.

Film Roles

Atkinson at the 2011 premiere of Johnny English Reborn

Atkinson's film career started with a small role in the James Bond film Never Say Never Again (1983). He also had a main role in Dead on Time (1983). He appeared in the Oscar-winning short film The Appointments of Dennis Jennings (1988).

He was in The Tall Guy (1989) and The Witches (1990), based on Roald Dahl's book. He also had a part in Hot Shots! Part Deux (1993), a parody film.

Atkinson became even more famous as a clumsy vicar in Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994), written by his friend Richard Curtis. He also voiced Zazu the hornbill in Disney's The Lion King (1994) and sang "I Just Can't Wait to Be King" in the movie. He continued to appear in supporting roles in comedies like Rat Race (2001), Scooby-Doo (2002), and Love Actually (2003).

As a leading man, his character Mr. Bean was a huge international success in the film Bean (1997). The sequel, Mr. Bean's Holiday (2007), was also very popular. He has also starred in the spy comedy Johnny English film series (2003–present). In 2023, he played Father Julius in Wonka, a movie about Willy Wonka's early life. In 2024, it was announced he would star in a fourth Johnny English film.

Theatre Performances

Atkinson outside the West End's Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in 2009.

Atkinson performed live comedy sketches on stage, sometimes with members of Monty Python, at The Secret Policeman's Ball in London in 1979. He went on a four-month tour of the UK in 1980. A recording of his show in Belfast was released as Live in Belfast.

In 1984, Atkinson appeared in the play The Nerd in London's West End, alongside a young Christian Bale. He also performed in The Sneeze and Other Stories, a collection of short plays, in London in 1988.

Oliver! billboard at the West End's Drury Lane in 2009.

In 2009, Atkinson played Fagin in the musical Oliver! in London. His performance received great reviews, and he was nominated for an Olivier Award for best actor in a musical.

In 2012, Rowan Atkinson brought back his Blackadder character for a charity event called "We are Most Amused" in London. He was joined by Tony Robinson as Baldrick. This was the first new Blackadder material in 10 years.

In 2013, Atkinson starred in the play Quartermaine's Terms in London. He also performed some of his classic schoolmaster sketches for charity events.

Rowan Atkinson's Comedy Style

Rowan Atkinson is famous for his physical comedy as Mr. Bean, where he uses his body and facial expressions to make people laugh without much talking. His other characters, like Blackadder, use clever language and witty remarks.

Atkinson often plays serious characters, like priests or vicars, who say very funny things with a straight face. People say he takes his comedy very seriously and is amazing at staying focused during funny scenes.

One of his unique comedy tricks is over-pronouncing the "B" sound. This is partly because he has a stammer, and this technique helps him with certain sounds. His visual comedy style, which has earned him the nickname "the man with the rubber face," makes him stand out from many modern comedians who rely more on talking.

Influences on His Work

Atkinson's early comedy influences included the group Beyond the Fringe and then Monty Python. He watched them closely as a student. He was also inspired by John Cleese from Monty Python, admiring his physical and often angry comedy style.

He was also influenced by Peter Sellers, especially his characters Hrundi Bakshi from The Party and Inspector Clouseau from The Pink Panther films. These characters helped shape Mr. Bean and Johnny English.

For visual comedy, Atkinson looks up to silent film stars like Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, and Harold Lloyd. He was also inspired by French comedian Jacques Tati, especially his film Mr. Hulot's Holiday. Atkinson said this film showed him how comedy could be purely visual and take its time to develop.

Personal Interests

Rowan Atkinson at the Mr. Bean's Holiday premiere at Leicester Square in London (2007)

Rowan Atkinson has three children.

Love for Cars

Atkinson loves cars and car racing. He even has a special driving licence for lorries, which he got in 1981 because he found them fascinating. In 1991, he starred in a show he wrote called The Driven Man, where he explored his passion for cars. He also played racing driver Henry Birkin in a TV play in 1995.

Atkinson racing in a Jaguar Mark VII M at the Goodwood Revival motor racing festival in England in 2009

He has raced many cars, including a Renault 5 GT Turbo. For many years, he owned a very rare McLaren F1 car. This car was involved in two accidents, one in 1999 and a more serious one in 2011 where it caught fire. The 2011 accident caused a lot of damage and took over a year to repair. He has owned other cars like a Honda NSX and an Audi A8.

Atkinson has said he would never own a Porsche because he feels the "typical Porsche people" are not his kind of people. In 2011, he appeared on Top Gear and set a very fast lap time in the "Reasonably Priced Car."

In 2024, a report from the House of Lords suggested that an opinion piece Atkinson wrote in 2023 might have negatively affected public opinion about electric cars in the UK. In his article, he described electric vehicles as fast and quiet but also mentioned issues with their batteries and environmental impact.

Plane Incident

In March 2001, while Rowan Atkinson was on holiday in Kenya, the pilot of his private plane fainted. Atkinson bravely managed to keep the plane in the air until the pilot recovered. The pilot then successfully landed the plane in Nairobi.

Views on Free Speech

Rowan Atkinson has spoken out about the importance of freedom of expression. In 2005, he joined other famous actors and writers to ask the British Parliament to review a law called the Racial and Religious Hatred Bill. They felt this law might limit people's ability to criticize ideas, including religious ones.

He also supported the Reform Section 5 campaign in 2012. This campaign aimed to change a law that allowed people to be arrested for saying something "insulting." Atkinson believed this law limited freedom of speech. In 2014, the word "insulting" was removed from the law after public pressure.

In 2020, Atkinson signed a letter expressing concern about a proposed law in Scotland that might limit freedom of expression. He believes it is important to be able to share many different opinions.

Filmography

Stage Performances

Honours and Awards

Rowan Atkinson was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2013. This honour was given for his great contributions to drama and his charity work.

Images for kids

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See also

In Spanish: Rowan Atkinson para niños