Rowan Atkinson, known for his iconic portrayal of Mr. Bean, has been a household name for decades. But behind the scenes, he leads a life filled with family, love, and a successful career beyond the quirky character that made him famous.
Born in 1955, Rowan Atkinson has delighted audiences worldwide with his comedic talents. Renowned as one of the masters of physical comedy, Rowan Atkinson’s path to success could have taken a different turn. During his formative years, Atkinson was a shy and introverted child, grappling with social interactions.
Former Prime Minister Tony Blair, who attended the same school as Atkinson but was two years younger, has previously mentioned recollections of the challenges Atkinson faced during his time there.
Renowned as one of the masters of physical comedy, Rowan Atkinson’s path to success could have taken a different turn. During his formative years, Atkinson was a shy and introverted child, grappling with social interactions.
The star grappled with a severe speech impediment. Fortunately, he found solace in acting, a remedy that ultimately helped him overcome this challenge.
Former Prime Minister Tony Blair, who attended the same school as Atkinson but was two years younger, has previously mentioned recollections of the challenges Atkinson faced during his time there.
The character of Mr. Bean, introduced in 1990, became a global phenomenon, spawning cartoons, books, and movies that captivated audiences of all ages. Reflecting on the success of Mr. Bean, Atkinson attributes it to the character’s universal appeal.
”Mr. Bean’s success has never surprised me. Watching an adult behaving in a childish way without being remotely aware of his inappropriateness is fundamentally funny. The fact the comedy is visual rather than verbal means it has been successful internationally, too,” he once remarked.
Despite Mr. Bean’s popularity, Atkinson has expressed mixed feelings about portraying the character.
”It’s easier for me to perform the character vocally than visually,” Atkinson told Radio Times. ”I don’t much enjoy playing him. The weight of responsibility is not pleasant. I find it stressful and exhausting and I look forward to the end of it.”
Beyond Mr. Bean, Atkinson has enjoyed success in other roles, including the cunning Blackadder and the bumbling secret agent Johnny English. His versatility as an actor has contributed to his enduring popularity.
With a reported fortune of $150 millions, Atkinson has achieved considerable financial success throughout his career.
But his greatest joy comes from his family life.
Married to Sunetra Sastry in 1990, Atkinson shares two children, Ben and Lily, with his ex-wife. While Ben pursued a career in the British military, Lily followed a more artistic path, establishing herself as a singer and burlesque artist.
Atkinson first met his wife, whose father was an Indian engineer from Ealing, West London, in the late Eighties, while she was employed as a make-up artist for the BBC.
Despite their long marriage, Atkinson and Sastry divorced in 2015 amid rumors of infidelity. Their marriage ended abruptly after a 65-second court hearing.
Media reports indicate that Sunetra initiated divorce proceedings against her husband citing ”unreasonable behavior” as the grounds for their separation.
At the time of their split in 2014, the couple was in the midst of constructing a multi-million-pound home in Oxfordshire.
Shortly thereafter, Atkinson found love again with actress Louise Ford, known for her role as Kate Middleton in The Windsors. The couple had met two years earlier while starring opposite each other in the West End comedy Quartermaine’s Terms.
At the time, an insider informed The Sun that ”Sunetra was deeply upset to be replaced by such a younger woman.”
Louise was raised in Bexley, South East London, where she attended the local grammar school. Her father worked as a gas fitter, while her mother was involved in caring for disabled individuals.
Their relationship, despite the significant age gap, blossomed from friendship into something more meaningful. In 2017, they welcomed their first child together, a daughter named Isla, bringing joy and fulfillment to their lives.
For Atkinson and Ford, age is merely a number, and they embrace their life together as a blended family. As they navigate the joys and challenges of parenthood, they continue to cherish each moment together, celebrating love and happiness in all its forms.
In the end, Rowan Atkinson’s life is a testament to the enduring power of laughter, love, and family, reminding us that true happiness knows no bounds.
