| Rowan Atkinson CBE | |
|---|---|
 Atkinson at the premiere for Johnny English Reborn in September 2011 | |
| Birth name | Rowan Sebastian Atkinson |
| Born | 6 January 1955 Consett, County Durham, England |
| Medium | |
| Alma mater | |
| Years active | 1978–present |
| Spouse |
Sunetra Sastry
(m. 1990; div. 2015) |
| Partner(s) | Louise Ford (2014–present)[1] |
| Children | 3 |
| Relative(s) | Rodney Atkinson (brother) |
| Signature |  |
Rowan Sebastian Atkinson CBE (born 6 January 1955) is an English actor, comedian and writer. He played the title roles in the sitcoms Blackadder (1983–1989) and Mr. Bean (1990–1995), and in the film series Johnny English (2003–present). Atkinson first came to prominence on the BBC sketch comedy show Not the Nine O'Clock News (1979–1982), receiving the 1981 British Academy Television Award for Best Entertainment Performance.
Atkinson has appeared in various films, including the James Bond film Never Say Never Again (1983), The Witches (1990), Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994), Rat Race (2002), Scooby-Doo (2002), Love Actually (2003), and Wonka (2023). He played the voice role of Zazu in the Disney animated film The Lion King (1994). Atkinson portrayed Mr. Bean in the film adaptations Bean (1997) and Mr. Bean's Holiday (2007). He also featured on the BBC sitcom The Thin Blue Line (1995–1996) and played the titular character in ITV's Maigret (2016–2017). His work in theatre includes the role of Fagin in the 2009 West End revival of the musical Oliver!.
Atkinson was listed in The Observer as one of the 50 funniest actors in British comedy in 2003,[3] and among the top 50 comedians ever, in a 2005 poll of fellow comedians.[4] Throughout his career, he has collaborated with screenwriter Richard Curtis and composer Howard Goodall, both of whom he met at the Oxford University Dramatic Society during the 1970s. In addition to his 1981 BAFTA, Atkinson received an Olivier Award for his 1981 West End theatre performance in Rowan Atkinson in Revue. Atkinson was appointed CBE in the 2013 Birthday Honours for services to drama and charity.
- ^ "Mr Bean leaves wife of 24 years for younger woman". Stuff. 11 November 2015. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
- ^ "Rowan Atkinson". Front Row Interviews. 8 January 2012. BBC Radio 4 Extra. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
- ^ "The A-Z of laughter (part one)", The Observer, 7 December 2003. Retrieved 7 January 2007.
- ^ "Cook voted 'comedians' comedian'". BBC News. 2 January 2005.