Rowan Atkinson is in the news again, for his reprisal of Johnny English in the new Johnny English movie, 'Johnny English Strikes Again' (opening in cinemas 20 September).
Educated at Oxford, Atkinson's first break was at the Oxford Revue at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 1976 when he was 21 years old. He then went on to star in the comedy show 'The Atkinson People'. He then went on to write and star in 'Not the Nine O'Clock News', whose success earned him the lead role in The Black Adder.
Of course, everyone around the world knows that Atkinson's most famous role is Mr Bean. But Atkinson has also played other memorable roles.
It’s a good time now to revisit some of the memorable roles that Rowan Atkinson has played over his 40-years career.
Here are 5 of them.
5. Father Gerald
In this British romantic comedy, 'Four Weddings and a Funeral', Atkinson plays Father Gerald, who fumbles over his lines to hilarious effect.
You wouldn't want Father Gerald presiding over your wedding solemnization.
4. The Doctor
In this special episode of Doctor Who, titled 'Doctor Who and the Curse of Fatal Death', Rowan Atkinson plays the eponymous Doctor.
The episode was made specially for Red Nose Day, a charity telethon organised by British charity Comic Relief, and is a parody of Doctor Who.
3. Inspector Raymond Fowler
In the BBC series 'The Thin Blue Line', a British slang for the police force, Rowan Atkinson plays Inspector Raymond Fowler.
Fowler is an old-fashioned policeman who takes his job seriously. But, at times, he is also more than willing to bend the rules - to hilarious effect.
At a BBC poll, 'The Thin Blue Line' was voted one of the best 50 British sitcoms.
2. Johnny English
Intended as a parody of James Bond, Johnny English is slowly but surely becoming Atkinson's next most defining role post-Mr Bean.
The Johnny English films are filled with physical comedy gags inspired by Mr Bean.
Basically, Johnny English is Mr Bean reincarnated as a secret agent.
1. Edmund Blackadder
Before Atkinwan was world famous for Mr Bean, he was most well known for his lead role in the BBC TV series 'Blackadder' as Edmund Blackadder.
The show ran for 4 seasons and was one of the most popular shows in British television history. It was voted the second at a BBC TV poll for Britain's Best Sitcom.
Johnny English Strikes Again opens in cinemas on 20 September!