Rowan Atkinson is a British actor, comedian, and playwright best known for his famous portrayal of the character Mr. Bean, which cemented his reputation as one of the most adored comic performers of his time. However, Atkinson’s career is far more extensive than just his portrayal of the bumbling, silent character. In this article, we delve into Rowan Atkinson Net Worth, early life, career milestones, personal life, and notable achievements.

Rowan Atkinson Net Worth

Early Years

Rowan Sebastian Atkinson was born January 6, 1955, in Consett, County Durham, England. He was the younger of four brothers. His father, Eric Atkinson, was a farmer and company director, while his mother, Ella May, worked as a housewife.

Atkinson attended Durham Choristers School, where he developed his love of acting and humor. He then attended Newcastle University, where he studied electrical engineering. He later earned an MSc in Electrical Engineering from The Queen’s College, Oxford. Despite his initial desire to pursue a degree, his passion for performing led him down a different road. His passion for acting never wavered, and he participated in a variety of theatrical shows and comedy groups while at university.

Career

After earning his degree in electrical engineering, Atkinson worked briefly as an electrical engineer. However, he quickly discovered that his true calling was in humor and performing. In the late 1970s, he joined the Oxford University Dramatic Society, where he met writer Richard Curtis and actor Hugh Laurie.

Atkinson began his career on radio, with the one-man program “The Atkinson People.” He made his television debut with “Canned Laughter,” and then hosted the mock-news show “Not the Nine O’Clock News.” Atkinson became well-known after appearing in humorous events such as The Secret Policeman’s Ball and television sketches with celebrities such as Elton John, John Cleese, and Kate Bush.

His breakthrough came when he played the sardonic Edmund Blackadder in the BBC mock-historical comedy series “Blackadder,” when he demonstrated his wit and comic skills. Atkinson’s portrayal of the inept and self-centered character Mr. Bean cemented his reputation as a comedy icon, and the character became a global hit.

Despite suggestions of retirement, Atkinson continues to enjoy his classic performances and delights audiences with his ageless comedy. He has also appeared in several commercial campaigns, charity events, and television programs, demonstrating his flexibility as an actor.

Atkinson’s ongoing popularity is demonstrated by the large following of his Mr. Bean persona on social media platforms, as well as his astounding success on YouTube, where his channel has topped 10 million subscribers and received billions of views.

2014-present

In January 2014, ITV announced the creation of a new animated series starring the popular character Mr. Bean, with Rowan Atkinson returning his role. The project was originally intended for online release as a web series, followed by a television broadcast. Subsequently, in February 2018, it was revealed that a fifth season of “Mr. Bean: The Animated Series” will air in 2019, with Atkinson as the voice. This series has 26 episodes, with the first two broadcasting in April 2019 on CITV in the UK and Turner networks worldwide. In February 2019, the Chinese children’s channel CCTV-14 acquired all five series, comprising 104 episodes.

Atkinson began his cinematic career with appearances in films like “Never Say Never Again” (1983) and “Dead on Time” (1983). He rose to prominence after appearing in films such as “Four Weddings and a Funeral” (1994), where he played a linguistically inept priest, and Disney’s “The Lion King” (1994), in which he voiced Zazu.

Atkinson’s portrayal of his television character Mr. Bean moved to the big screen with the release of “Bean” (1997), followed by “Mr. Bean’s Holiday” (2007). He has also appeared in the James Bond spoof series “Johnny English” (2003-2018). In 2023, Atkinson featured as Father Julius in “Wonka,” a prequel to Roald Dahl’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” that explores Willy Wonka’s beginnings.

Personal Life

He married Sunetra Sastry, a makeup artist, in 1990, and the pair has two children: Ben and Lily. The pair split in 2015, after 25 years of marriage.

Rowan started dating Louise Ford in 2013, and she gave birth to their daughter Isla in December 2017.

Atkinson is also known for his passion of cars, and he owns a sizable collection of old vehicles. Notably, he is an enthusiastic automobile collector, having possessed exotic sports cars such as a McLaren F1, which he notoriously crashed twice before selling for $12 million.

Awards and Achievements

Rowan Atkinson has won various prizes and recognition for his services to the entertainment business. Some of his most famous achievements are:

– British Academy Television Award for Best Entertainment Performance, 1981, 1990, 1991, 1992, and 1994.
– OBE for contributions to drama and charity (2013)
– Olivier Award for Best Comedy Performance, 2014.
– An honorary degree from Oxford University (2006)
– Honorary Fellowship from the Royal Television Society (2019).

Frequently Asked Questions About Rowan Atkinson

1. What is Rowan Atkinson famous for?

Atkinson is best known for his portrayal of the iconic character Mr. Bean, a role that has garnered him international fame and recognition.

2. How old is Rowan Atkinson?

Atkinson was born on January 6, 1955, making him 69 years old.

3. Where was Rowan Atkinson born?

Atkinson was born in Consett, County Durham, England, United Kingdom.

4. What is Rowan Atkinson’s net worth?

Rowan Atkinson’s total net worth is approximately $150 million.

5. Is Rowan Atkinson married?

Atkinson was previously married to Sunetra Sastry, a makeup artist. However, the couple divorced in 2015 after 25 years of marriage.

6. How many children does Rowan Atkinson have?

Atkinson has three children, Ben, Lily and Isla Atkinson.

7. What other roles has Rowan Atkinson played besides Mr. Bean?

In addition to Mr. Bean, Atkinson has appeared in numerous films and television shows, including the British sitcom “Blackadder” and various comedy films such as “Johnny English.”

8. Has Rowan Atkinson won any awards?

Yes, Atkinson has won several awards throughout his career, including British Academy Television Awards.

9. Does Rowan Atkinson have any hobbies?

Atkinson is known for his love of cars and has a notable collection of classic automobiles.

10. Is Rowan Atkinson in a relationship?

Atkinson’s partner is actress Louise Ford, known for her role as Kate in “The Windsors”.

11. Did Rowan Atkinson appear in a James Bond movie?

Yes! As a young actor, Rowan won the part of Nigel Small-Fawcett in the James Bond film “Never Say Never Again” (1983) alongside Sean Connery.

12. What’s the connection between Rowan Atkinson and Snoop Dogg?

Surprisingly, Rowan appeared in Olly Murs’ pop video “Moves,” which featured American rapper Snoop Dogg. Rowan played a barman during the song.

13. What other names were considered for Mr. Bean?

While brainstorming character names, “Mr. Cauliflower” and “Mr. Cabbage” were also on the list. Ultimately, they chose “Mr. Bean” for its simplicity and impact.

14. What did Rowan study in university?

Rowan studied electrical engineering at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne and continued his studies at Queen’s College, Oxford.

15. What other iconic character did Rowan create besides Mr. Bean?

He also played the inept spy Johnny English in the film series of the same name (2003–2018).

16. What role did Rowan Atkinson play in the sitcom “Blackadder”?

Rowan portrayed the title roles in the beloved sitcoms “Blackadder” (1983–1989) and “Mr. Bean” (1990–1995).

17. What prestigious award has Rowan Atkinson received?

He was awarded a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) for his contributions to entertainment.

Conclusion

From his groundbreaking performances as Mr. Bean to his celebrated work in cinema and television, he has entertained audiences around the globe and inspired countless aspiring comedians and actors. Atkinson remains a beloved figure in popular culture, and his influence on comedy is highly noticed.