Rowan Atkinson was brought up on a farm near Newcastle. He went to Durham Cathedral Choristers' School, St Bees School, Newcastle University and Oxford University, where he studied engineering.
With Pamela Stephenson and Griff Rhys Jones and Mel Smith, Rowan Atkinson performed on the BBC Comedy sketch show Not The Nine O'Clock News.
He also starred in Blackadder, The Thin Blue Line and Mr Bean.
Rowan Atkinson had met Richard Curtis back in their Oxford days at the University's Experimental Theatre Club. They ended up working together on Blackadder, Mr Bean, The Tall Guy and Four Weddings and A Funeral.
Rowan Atkinson's film credits include Never Say Never Again, Johnny English, and Love, Actually.
