Global comedy icon Rowan Atkinson celebrated his 71st birthday this week, marking a lifetime filled with extraordinary achievements and surprising personal stories that extend far beyond his famous rubbery face and silent antics.
From Durham Schoolboy to Global Star
Born in Consett, County Durham, Atkinson was the youngest of four brothers and was sent to boarding school. Intriguingly, he attended the same preparatory school, Durham Choristers, as former Prime Minister Tony Blair. Atkinson arrived aged 11, while Blair was 13, and their personalities were famously different. A former headmaster described the shy, slightly stuttering Rowan and the outgoing, confident Tony as being "like chalk and cheese".
Contrary to what many might assume, a career in performance was not his original plan. Following in his father's footsteps, Atkinson first earned a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering from Newcastle University. He later began a PhD at Oxford, where he truly discovered his passion for acting, meeting writer Richard Curtis and co-creating the legendary series Blackadder.
Personal Triumphs and a Daring Rescue
Despite his global fame, Atkinson has navigated personal challenges, including a lifelong stutter. He has noted that the speech impediment tends to vanish when he is performing as a character, which he cites as partial inspiration for his career choice. Away from the spotlight, Atkinson's quick thinking proved lifesaving in 2001. During a family holiday in Kenya, the pilot of their private Cessna aircraft fell unconscious mid-flight. With no prior flying experience, Atkinson was forced to take the controls until the pilot recovered, averting a potential disaster for his then-wife Sunetra Sastry and their two children.
Royal Links and Late Fatherhood
Atkinson enjoys a notably close relationship with the Royal Family, particularly King Charles III. He has been a guest at private events at Highgrove, attended the King's wedding to Queen Camilla, and was present at both the coronation and Prince Harry's wedding. His contributions to drama and charity were recognised in 2013 when he was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE).
In his personal life, Atkinson became a father again at the age of 62. His partner, actress Louise Ford, gave birth to their daughter Isla in 2017. He has two older children, Ben and Lily, from his previous 24-year marriage to BBC make-up artist Sunetra Sastry.
From an engineering student to the saviour of a flight, a confidant of royalty, and the creator of some of Britain's most beloved comic characters, Rowan Atkinson's 71 years have been anything but ordinary, solidifying his status as a true national treasure.
