Known for movies

Short Info

Date Of BirthAugust 20, 1937
SpousePhyllis Bowen
MarkHis "Super, Smashing, Great" catchphrase


Jim Bowen was born in 1937 in Lancashire, England. His parents were both coal miners, and he was one of six children. Bowen left school at age 15 to work in the coal mines. He later joined the Royal Air Force, where he served as a navigator during the Suez Crisis. After his discharge from the RAF, Bowen worked as a welder and then as a stand-up comedian.

Bowen’s big break came in 1978 when he was cast as the host of the game show Bullseye. The show was a huge success, and ran for 14 years. Bowen continued to work as a comedian and television presenter after Bullseye ended.

In 2006, Bowen was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. He died in March 2017 at the age of 80.

Bowen was married twice. His first marriage, to Phyllis, ended in divorce. He later married Susan, with whom he had two children.

At the time of his death, Bowen’s net worth was estimated at £1.5 million (approximately $2 million).

General Info

Full NameJim Bowen
Date Of BirthAugust 20, 1937
ProfessionPresenter, Comedian
EducationUniversity of Chester
NationalityEnglish

Family

SpousePhyllis Bowen
ParentsJoe Whittaker, Annie Whittaker

Accomplishments

TV ShowsBullseye, The Comedians, Happy Since I Met You, You Must Be Joking!

Social profile links

Marks

#Marks / Signs
1His "Super, Smashing, Great" catchphrase

Movies

Actor

TitleYearStatusCharacter
The Afternoon Play2004TV SeriesMC Norman
Phoenix Nights2002TV SeriesFrank 'Hoss' Cartwright
Jonathan Creek1999TV SeriesDuggie Dawson
Philip's Flashing Finger1996ShortStan Truman
Last of the Summer Wine1988-1992TV Seriesthe Library Attendant / Man in street
Family Fortunes1989TV SeriesAnnie the Ugly Sister
News at Twelve1988TV SeriesHenry Owen
Cinderella: The Shoe Must Go On1986TV MovieGame show host
Foxy Lady1982TV SeriesOrlando Cheetham
Muck and Brass1982TV Mini-SeriesCharles Sprowle / Charles Sprowl
The Jim Davidson Show1982TV Series
Screenplay1981TV SeriesDad
You Must Be Joking!1974-1976TV SeriesVarious

Writer

TitleYearStatusCharacter
You Must Be Joking!1975TV Series written by - 2 episodes

Self

TitleYearStatusCharacter
You Can't Beat a Bit of Bully2015TV Movie documentaryHimself - Presenter, Bullseye, 1981-1995
Come on Down! The Game Show Story2014TV Mini-Series documentaryHimself - Host, Bullseye
The Big Fat Quiz of the 80s2013TV MovieHimself
From ATVLand in Colour2011Video documentaryHimself
Loose Women2007-2010TV SeriesHimself
Peter Kay: Raider of the Pop Charts2009TV Movie documentaryHimself
TV Burp2008TV SeriesHimself
Breakfast2008TV SeriesHimself
Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway2008TV SeriesHimself
50 Greatest Comedy Catchphrases2008TV Movie documentaryHimself
100 Greatest Stand-Ups2007TV Movie documentaryHimself
100 Greatest Funny Moments2006TV Movie documentaryHimself
50 Questions of Political Incorrectness2005TV Movie documentaryHimself
Richard & Judy2004-2005TV SeriesHimself
The Paul O'Grady Show2005TV SeriesHimself
Comic Relief 2005: Is This the Way to Amarillo2005Video shortHimself
Comic Relief: Red Nose Night Live 052005TV SpecialHimself
The Comedians' Comedian2005TV Movie documentaryHimself
Lads Army2002-2004TV SeriesHimself
Big Brother2004TV SeriesHimself
Star Sale2004TV SeriesHimself
Who Stole Bob Monkhouse's Jokes?2004TV Movie documentaryHimself
The Weakest Link2003TV SeriesHimself
Never Mind the Buzzcocks2002TV SeriesHimself
It's Only TV... But I Like It2001TV SeriesHimself
I Love 1980's2001TV Series documentary
Meet Ricky Gervais2000TV SeriesHimself
Today's the Day1999TV SeriesHimself
Melinda's Big Night In1999TV SeriesHimself
The Basement1998TV Series documentaryHimself - Special Guest
Talking Telephone Numbers1994-1997TV SeriesHimself
Selection Box1997TV SeriesHimself
Light Lunch1997TV SeriesHimself
Noel's Telly Years1997TV SeriesHimself
The Alphabet Game1996TV SeriesHimself
Celebrity Squares1993-1996TV SeriesHimself
Shearer on Shearer1996Video documentaryHimself
Gagtag1994-1996TV SeriesHimself
Bullseye1981-1995TV SeriesHimself - Presenter
Home Truths1994TV SeriesHimself
The Comedians1973-1993TV SeriesHimself
The Upper Hand1992TV SeriesHimself
Public Enemy Number One1992TV SeriesHimself
A Stab in the Dark1992TV SeriesHimself
El C.I.D.1992TV SeriesHimself
Cluedo1991TV SeriesHimself - Studio Guest
Surprise Surprise!1991TV SeriesHimself
Telly Addicts1989TV SeriesHimself
E.M.U. TV1989TV SeriesHimself - Special guest
Sky Star Search1989TV SeriesHimself - Judge
A Question of Entertainment1988TV SeriesHimself
Blankety Blank1987TV SeriesHimself
Star Choice1986TV SeriesHimself - Guest
Highway1985TV SeriesHimself
This Is Your Life1985TV Series documentaryHimself
Starburst1981-1983TV SeriesHimself
Look Who's Talking1982TV SeriesHimself - Interviewee
The Wheeltappers and Shunters Social Club1975TV SeriesHimself
You Must Be Joking!1975TV SeriesHimself

Archive Footage

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Sports Life Stories2013TV Series documentaryHimself - Bullseye Host
Rude Tube2011TV SeriesHimself
TV's Believe It or Not2008TV Movie documentaryHimself (uncredited)

Source: IMDb, Wikipedia

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