Rowan Atkinson Overview

Imagine a creature who takes fashion tips from your neighborhood door-to-door salesman, a creature whose haircut looks like a tight-fitting motorcycle helmet, a creature with a tongue that is neither cute nor erotic but periodically slips out of a pair of... [more]

Imagine a creature who takes fashion tips from your neighborhood door-to-door salesman, a creature whose haircut looks like a tight-fitting motorcycle helmet, a creature with a tongue that is neither cute nor erotic but periodically slips out of a pair of rosy, swollen lips. This creature has a ballerina's turnout, crooked knees, a stubbled chin, and a pair of bushy eyebrows that rest above eyes that put a frog's to shame. Imagine, if you will, Rowan Atkinson's most successful feat: Mr. Bean. While his appearance alone is enough to send British audiences into fits of giggles, Mr.Bean's humiliating and inexcusable behavior has them almost pissing. The Mr. Bean of television and the movies barely speaks; his life consists of child-like gratification, of ridiculous pranks and undeserved triumphs. He's the younger sibling that hid under the sink with sticky fingers and a runny nose, happily chomping on the last chocolate. Or he's the bully with the nastiest taunt on the playground. Yes, Mr. Bean is the king of peevish self-satisfaction. As he drives to work he adjusts the rearview mirror to admire himself; he also brushes his teeth and washes his mouth with windshield-wiper fluid. Meanwhile, neighboring cars swerve by and curse the grooming Bean. Atkinson has said of his creation: "Quite a nasty piece of work. Not the sort of person you'd want to have dinner with." Lesser known to international audiences is the "Black Adder" television series, where Atkinson's capacity for comic despicability took flight. In this series, which spans from the fifteenth century through World War I, Atkinson plays a man named Edmund Blackadder who has an uncanny ability to alter history. He routinely abuses his ridiculous sidekick, Baldrick, as the pair weaves in and out of trouble. Atkinson has also shown his talents as the snotty comedy star in "The Tall Guy," the harmless priest in "Four Weddings and a Funeral," and the British diplomat with his pants on too tight in the James Bond treasure, "Never Say Never." [show less]