Rowan Atkinson is an English comedian, actor and writer. He is famous around the world for his character Mr. Bean. He was listed in the top 50 funniest people ever by a group of comedians. Atkinson shot to fame in Britain in the late 1970s. Throughout the 1980s he starred in one of Britain’s most successful comedies, Black Adder. Mr. Bean brought him worldwide fame and acclaim.

 

Atkinson was born in the north of England in 1955. He went to very good schools and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. While studying for a Master’s degree at Oxford University he fell in love with acting and comedy and joined an amateur theatre company. He took his comedy sketches to the Edinburgh Festival in 1976 and performed on the street.

 

After university, Atkinson got a lucky break and made a one-off comedy show for a British TV company. He quickly went on to appear in the hit comedy show ‘Not the Nine O'Clock News’. This made him one of Britain’s most popular comedians. From 1993, he starred in the incredibly successful Black Adder series, which he also co-wrote.

 

Mr. Bean came along on New Years Day, 1990. It was originally just a one-off show. The character was a hit and Atkinson made more episodes throughout the 1990s. It was eventually made into a movie which made Atkinson an international star. His visual comedy style has earned him the nickname "the man with the rubber face".