Rowan Atkinson (AKA Mr. Bean, Black Adder) Biography

Rowan Atkinson was born on a farm in Durham, 8th January, 1956. I am not sure which one (two different sources gave two different colleges), but he either attended Newcastle or Manchester. Later, he attended Oxford University on an electrical engineering degree. His comedy carreer started at the Edinburgh Festival in 1977, later followed by a revue at London's Hamstead Theatre in 1978. Between 1979 and 1982, he was in BBC's Not the Nine O'Clock News. In 1983, Atkinson wrote and starred as Prince Edmund in The Blackadder. He later followed this with Blackadder II in 1986 as Edmund Blackadder, Blackadder III in 1987 as Edmund Blackadder esq., Blackadder's Christmas Carol in 1988 as Ebenezor Blackadder, Blackadder IV in 1989 as Captain Blackadder. With Steven Wright, in 1989, Atkinson was in Appointments of Dennis Jennings which won the Academy Award for best short film. Also in 1989, Rowan Atkinson was in HBO's Comedy Hour along with such comedians as Jerry Seinfeld, Julie Brown and Angus Deaton.

Mr. Bean became the top rated show in Britain, over 18 million people watching. It has been shown in 80 countries and 53 airlines. It has won numerous awards, including the Golden Rose of Montreux, two BANFF Awards, an International Emmy and an ACE Award for best comedy in 1995. PolyGram Video is releasing four videos, containing 10 episodes this spring. The remaining episodes will be released in fall, and will include Mr. Bean Unseen.

Between 1991 and 1994, Atkinson was shown in the UK as an inept British secret service official for Barclaycard commercials. Also in 1991, Atkinson took highlights from his 1981 and 1986 shows and recorded them for Rowan Atkinson Live. Sketches included A Warm Welcome (where he plays the devil) and Fatal Beatings (where he plays a headmaster). In 1992, he released I Want to Be Elected, a CD/cassette released about Mr. Bean and Smear Campaign. Proceeds went to Comic Relief. In 1993, Atkinson played Dexter Hayman, a US agent captured by the Iraqi's during Desert Storm, in Hot Shots! Part Deux. Also in 1993, he appeared on Rondo, a Norwegian show. Also, the book Mr. Bean's Diary was released which sold 400 000 copies. In 1994, he appeared in Four Weddings and a Funeral, as Father Gerald, a new Priest. As well in 1994, he appeared with Jane Torvill and C. Dean on the Show on Ice. Also in 1994, he was the voice of Zazu in The Lion King. In 1995, he was a tenor in the Ode to Joy for Live for Peace, a benefit for Prince's Trust Gala. In 1996, he appeared on the Tonight show with Jay Leno and Late Night with Conan O'Brien. He is now developing a Mr. Bean movie and a new sit-com for BBC called The Thin Blue Line.

If you'd like to write to Rowan Atkinson, you can send letters to:
Rowan Atkinson
c/o Thames Telivision International
Teddington Studios, Teddington Lock
Middlesex, TW11 9NT, U.K.

RETURN TO MR. BEAN