Rowan Atkinson, famously known for his role as “Mr. Bean,” possesses a master's degree in electrical engineering, surprising many.
He initially earned an undergraduate degree in electrical engineering from Newcastle University and later pursued a master's program at The Queen's College Oxford in 1975.
While working towards this degree, Atkinson also engaged in acting with various clubs such as the Oxford University Dramatic Society, the Oxford Revue, and the Experimental Theatre Club.
During his time in college, Atkinson developed the character of Mr. Bean, drawing inspiration from renowned physical comedians like Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin, and Jacques Tati.
Mr. Bean was envisioned as a “child in a grown man's body,” showcasing physical humor akin to Monsieur Hulot portrayed by Tati.
Interestingly, Atkinson's investment in developing the character of Mr. Bean proved to be more lucrative than his academic pursuits.
The subsequent TV series based on the character gained immense popularity in the UK, attracting peak ratings of nearly 19 million viewers and running for five years.
Moreover, the two films featuring Mr. Bean, titled “Bean” and “Mr. Bean's Holiday,” collectively grossed almost half a billion dollars worldwide, despite being made with relatively small budgets of $22 million and $25 million, respectively.
In his early acting career, Atkinson obtained a truck driver's license to supplement his income while establishing himself as an actor.
In the UK, a truck driver is commonly referred to as a “lorry driver.”
Today, Atkinson is estimated to have a net worth of approximately $150 million, primarily attributed to his portrayal of Mr. Bean and other notable roles.
Keaton's style of comedy, similar to that of Mr. Bean, also influenced Jackie Chan's comedic approach, as mentioned in Chan's autobiography.
Entertainment Weekly recognized Keaton as the seventh greatest director of all time, and the American Film Institute ranked him the “21st greatest male actor of all time.”
Keaton gained recognition for delivering physical comedy with a deadpan expression in his early silent films.
Keaton's show business career began at just four years old in 1899 when he performed in his parents' comedy sketch.
His role involved provoking his father's anger, leading to his father tossing him across the stage or slamming him against scenery.
Although this may seem harsh, Keaton's father taught him how to land safely, preventing any harm.
Keaton's father faced potential charges of child abuse but was acquitted each time when Keaton demonstrated that he had not suffered any injuries.
Keaton explained, “The secret is in landing limp and breaking the fall with a foot or a hand.
It's a knack.
I started so young that landing right is second nature with me.”
Diagnosed with terminal lung cancer in 1966, Keaton was unaware of his condition as his doctors informed him he had bronchitis.
He eventually passed away, and his last wife, Eleanor Keaton, also succumbed to lung cancer 32 years later.
Atkinson has a deep passion for cars and occasionally writes for several British automobile magazines, including Car, Octane, Evo, and SuperClassics.
He has even appeared on the popular motor vehicle show, Top Gear.
Notably, Atkinson owns multiple cars, including the rare McLaren F1.
Unfortunately, he has been involved in two accidents with this prized possession, one in 1999 and another in August 2011.
The McLaren F1 is an exceptional vehicle capable of accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.2 seconds and reaching a top speed of approximately 240 mph.
Only 106 of these cars were ever produced by McLaren.
One of Atkinson's earliest performances featuring a character resembling Mr. Bean was in a 1979 show called “Canned Laughter.”
The character, named “Robert Box,” shared similarities with Mr. Bean.
Interestingly, the name “Mr. Bean” was not decided upon until after Atkinson secured the TV show.
During early production, various names were considered for the character, including “Mr. White” and several vegetable-based options like “Mr.
Carrot” or “Mr.
Cauliflower.”
Eventually, they settled on “Mr.
Bean.”
In addition to Mr. Bean, Atkinson has portrayed other memorable characters throughout his career, such as Zazu in Disney's The Lion King, Johnny English, and various roles in the historical sitcom Blackadder, among others.
The Queen's College Oxford, founded in 1341 by Robert de Eglesfield, a chaplain to Queen Philippa of Hainault, boasts a rich history spanning almost 700 years.
The name of the city itself, Oxford, originally meant “Ford of the Oxen.”
