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The man we can’t take seriously anymore, but wouldn’t have it any other way, is Rowan Atkinson, the unforgettable and iconic figure of English humor. From the mundane existence to audacious spy missions spanning continents, he effortlessly turns everything into a joke. With characters like Mr. Bean and Johnny English, he has forever engraved himself in the world of sitcoms and films. The renowned comedian and actor are now 69 years old.
Believe it or not, he was the youngest in the family. Although there were four siblings, one of his brothers passed away. His father was a farmer with his own company. Rowan Atkinson, representing classic values, received an Anglican upbringing, and he pursued a completely different profession at university than what we know him for today.
But why film? The answer is simple: that’s what he yearned for (plus a stroke of luck). During his university years, he felt a strong internal urge to bring to the stage the madness that would later make him famous. He honed his facial expressions, exploiting his features to the extreme, just to capture people’s memories in a unique and iconic way. He attended Oxford University, where he met actor Richard Curtis and composer Howard Goodall. They started working together and made it to the Edinburgh Festival. Success caught up with Atkinson here.
From university student to legendary comedian In 1979 (at the age of 24), he appeared in a television satire, and millions got to know his distinctive style. In 1981, he became a record holder: the youngest person to have a solo show in London’s West End – an iconic central area where usually only the biggest names get a chance.
The 1983 Black Adder – a sitcom broadcast for four seasons – brought him full professional recognition, where he played alongside stars like Hugh Laurie, Stephen Fry, Miranda Richardson, or Tim McInnerny. This series, among others, laid the foundation for the most defining series of his career, and this role has become synonymous with his name.
IN 1990, MR. BEAN MADE HIS DEBUT,
and with this, Atkinson forever etched his name (and face) into the world of humor, a legacy deepened by later films like Johnny English or Four Weddings and a Funeral, Love Actually.
