Rowan Atkinson is a British comedian, screenwriter and producer, who is famous for his classic roles "Mr. Bean", "Black Sir", "Johnny Ingley" and so on, and is known as the king of British comedy. His witty, creative and imaginative work is loved by audiences around the world. This article will introduce his early experience, acting career, personal life and social activities, and let us enter the wonderful world of this legendary figure together.
Early life: from farm to Oxford
Rowan Atkinson was born on January 6, 1955, into a middle-class family that ran a 400-acre farm. Influenced by his mother, Rowan likes acting since he was a child, but he was bullied by his classmates because of his stuttering and looks. While attending Durham Choir School, he was an alumnus with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. At university, Rowan Atkinson studied electrical engineering at Newcastle University. He went on to study Electrical and Mechanical Engineering at Queen's College, Oxford. At Oxford, he became friends with Baker, vice-president of the Oxford University Theatre Society, and became an active member of the Experimental Drama Club. In addition, he became acquainted with screenwriter Richard Curtis and often performed burlesque skits in local theatres in Oxford. In 1976, he participated in the Edinburgh Fringe Arts Festival; In the same year, he graduated with a master's degree.
Acting career: from "Non-Nine O'Clock News" to "Agent Bean 3"
In 1979, starred in the TV comedy short "Canned Laughter"; In the same year, as a regular actor in the comedy show "Non-Nine O'Clock News", he officially entered the entertainment industry and began to attract attention; He won the 34th British Academy of Film and Television Arts Awards Television Award - Best Light Entertainment Performance for the show. In 1981, he made his debut in London's West End and starred in the stage play "The Atkinson's Irony". In 1983, the sitcom "Black Jazz" starring him was broadcast, playing the clumsy, stupid and proud prince Edmund, and the script was co-written by Richard Curtis and Rowan Atkinson; He won the 43rd British Academy of Film and Television Arts Awards Television Award - Best Light Entertainment Performance for the fourth season of the series; In the same year, he participated in the 007 gaiden movie "Cruise Missile" starring Sean Connery.
In 1984, he starred in the two-act comedy "Nedy" at the Oldwich Theatre, playing a kind and intelligent architect. In 1986, he starred in the stage play "Rowan Atkinson at the Atkinson" at the Brooks Atkinson Theater. In the same year, the sequel to "Black Jazz" began to air. In 1988, starred in the comedy short film "Dennis Jennings' Date" directed by Dean Perissart. In 1989, he co-starred with Emma Thompson in the comedy film "Tall". In 1990, the sitcom "Mr. Bean" starring him premiered in the UK, where he played the "Mr. Bean" with rich expressions, eccentric movements and strong thinking, and received more attention for this; The show attracted more than 20 million viewers in the UK; In the same year, he co-starred with Angelica Houston and May Zatlin in the fantasy comedy film "The Witch".
In 1992, he played a clumsy MI7 agent in a television commercial, for which he won the British Academy of Film and Television Arts Advertising Award - Best Actor. In 1993, the satirical comedy film "Anti-Fighting Condor Sequel" was released. In 1994, starred in the romantic comedy film "Four Weddings and a Funeral" starring Hugh Grant and Andy McDowell; In the same year, he voiced Shazu Bird, the advisor to Simba's father in the animated film "The Lion King"; In addition, he co-authored and published the book The Bean Diary with Robin Drisco. In 1995, he starred in the indoor sitcom "Thin Blue Line". In 1997, he starred in the comedy film "Mr. Bean's Catastrophe", playing Mr. Bean again, which achieved a global box office of 240 million US dollars.
In 1999, he starred in the special program "Doctor Who and the Curse of Fatal Death" in the TV series "Doctor Who". In 2000, the comedy film "Baby Come" with Hugh Lowry, Julie Richardson and others was released. In 2001, he co-starred with Whoopi Goldberg, Cathy Bates, and Cuba Godin Jr. in the comedy road film "Desperate for Treasure", playing the lucky one who won the slot machine by gambling. In 2002, the animated series "Mr. Bean Animated Version" dubbed by him was broadcast; In the same year, he played the villain Emile in the comedy adventure film Scooby-Doo. In 2003, he co-starred with John Malkovich and Ben Miller in the comedy action movie "Agent Bean", playing Johnny Ingley, a clumsy and always foreign intelligence officer; In the same year, he made a cameo appearance as a slow-moving salesman in the love movie "True Love First" written and directed by Richard Curtis. In 2005, he starred in the comedy film "Keep Silent".
In 2007, the comedy film "Mr. Bean's Holiday" starring him was released worldwide, in which Mr. Bean accidentally won the jackpot in a lottery and got the opportunity to vacation to the south of France. In 2009, he returned to the stage and starred in the musical "Orphans of the Fog", playing the instigator Fei Jin. In 2011, the comedy action movie "Agent Bean 2" co-starring Daniel Kaluya, Gillian Anderson, Pei Chunhua and others was released. In 2012, he performed a "spoof" performance at the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics to accompany the melody from the movie Chariots of Fire. In 2013, he returned to London's West End stage and starred in the tragicomedy "The Clause of Quartermayne" created by Simon Gray at Wyndham Theatre, playing a crappy English teacher; In the same year, he was awarded the Order of Commander of the British Empire (CBE) by Queen Elizabeth II.
In 2016, he began to star in the detective Megrei series miniseries, playing the wise and calm and humane Inspector Megre. In March 2017, the comedy movie "Happy Comedian" in which he participated was released in Chinese mainland; In the same year, he starred in the TV special "True Love First: Red Nose Day Special". In 2018, starred in the comedy movie "Agent Bean 3" and played Johnny English again.
Personal life: from marriage to collecting
Rowan Atkinson has kept a low profile when it comes to his private life. He married makeup artist Sunetra Sastry in 1990 and has two children: Benjamin and Lily. However, in 2014, they announced their separation and officially divorced in 2015. Rowan Atkinson is said to have started a romance with his girlfriend, Louise Ford, who is 29 years younger than him, and welcomed their first child in 2017: Isla.
In addition to his love of acting, Rowan Atkinson is also a collector of cars and aircraft. He owns a number of prestigious sports cars and vintage cars, most notably an £8 million McLaren F1, who was involved in two accidents in 1999 and 2011 but was lucky to escape. He also owned an RAF aircraft and often flew it on air shows.
Social activism: from charity to speech
Rowan Atkinson is not only a good comedian, but also an active citizen of society. He has donated to charities and organisations on numerous occasions or attended events such as Red Nose Day, Child Care Foundation, British Heart Foundation and more. He has also spoken out against free speech and racial discrimination, such as in 2005, when he opposed the British government's passage of the Religious Hatred Act, arguing that it would restrict the freedom of comedy creation; In 2012, he supported amending Section V of the Public Order Act to remove the ban on "insulting speech"; In 2014, he denounced an alleged racial discrimination for imitating Nelson Mandela.
summary
Rowan Atkinson is a king of British comedy, and his works have made countless people laugh, but also moved and admired countless people. His life was full of legend, but also full of wisdom and courage. He was not only an outstanding artist, but also a socially responsible citizen. In his own way, he brought joy and light to the world.