British Actor, Tom Owen Dies Aged 73
British actor, Tom Owen has lost his life at the age of 73.
The actor is best known for playing Tom Simmonite in the long-running BBC sitcom for 10 years from 2000.
His appearance on the popular show continued a family tradition after his father, Bill Owen, portrayed his on-screen father, Compo Simmonite.
A statement from Tom’s family released on Tuesday (November 8) said: “He passed away peacefully and is survived by his two children, James and William, and ex-wife, Mary.”
Fans have since taken to social media to mourn the acting legend.
Owen began is career as an assistant stage manager at Leatherhead Theatre in Surrey, before moving on to Westminster Theatre. After a stint working in TV he returned to work and direct in the theatre, in Sidmouth, Devon.
He was chosen to play Compo’s son just days after the death of his father in 1999 from cancer.
“It was two or three days after Dad had died,” he recalled in 2000, of the surprise phone call from the show’s producer, Alan Bell.
“Obviously my mind was on other things, like organising the funeral, and it hadn’t occurred to me at all that I would be approached to play Compo’s long-lost son.
“Alan suggested the idea to me and I thought about it for two seconds before saying yes.”
