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English actor, comedian and writer.

Background :

He obtained a Master's of Science in electrical engineering from The Queen's College, Oxford University.

First winning national attention in at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August 1976.

Although Atkinson did not complete his master's studies, he began his success working at the BBC as a member of the comedy-show 'Not the Nine-o-clock-news'

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Constructing the Star Image - Primary Media - Cinema, TV, Radio

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Constructing the Star Image - Primary Media - Cinema, TV, Radio

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His star image is constructed by less dialogue, but more body language. This generates a global outreach.

Be clear on sources and the reasons why I choose this star image. Include more info on his roles.

It is clear from the video, GQ has not provided full detail on every single role Atkinson has played. GQ only focuses on his comedic image and persona the most.

The list below consists of what GQ provides as well as other films and Tv shows based on my own previous viewings.

1. BBC Radio 3 1979 The Atkinson People

2. Blackadder (1983-1989)- pre-Mr Bean. This idea for the show came about when Atkinson and writer/director friend Richard Curtis attended University.

3. The Lion King (1994)

4. Four Weddings And A Funeral (1994)

5. Bean (1997)

6. Johnny English (2003 -2019) James Bond parody

7. Love Actually (2003) His small ‘cameo’ role as Rufus the storeman

8. His work in theatre includes the role of Fagin in the 2009  revival of the musical Oliver!

The Link to here includes exclusive insight from Rowan Atkinson & Co-Creator & Writer, Richard Curtis:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xt8agz7jipY&ab_channel=MrBean

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From Mr Bean to Blackadder, Rowan Atkinson breaks down his most iconic characters

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The Celebrity Industry

"Celebrities are a central part of the way media commodities

are sold.... All celebrities have a value in common – to sell

products, media and otherwise" - Milly Williamson (2016)

In relation to Rowan Atkinson, 'Mr Bean' is not just a Tv character, but also a cultural product that is sellable in society and helps others to sell. His star image is used as a brand extension which we can see above showing Mr bean turned into an animated series, as well as Soft toys, personalised gifts etc.

The 'Industry' can be sold on visual streaming platforms. Even of it not a full episode, you can watch complications on the official channel for 'Mr Bean'.

https://www.youtube.com/@MrBean/video

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Mr Bean Shop - Personalised Gifts, DVDs, Soft Toys and More

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The official webshop of Britain's best-loved sitcom, Mr Bean. Explore our fantastic range of mugs, art prints, tea towels, tote bags and unique gifts. Personalised Gifts as well as DVDs, Books, Soft Toys (Teddy) and More.

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Interviews - 2018, Graham Norton and Stephen Colbert (link in text)

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Interviews - 2018, Graham Norton and Stephen Colbert (link in text)

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Ideas surrounding Authenticity and the relationship between the Star and Audience

"I don't know if he will return" followed by a sigh for the audience, with Graham saying "The people have spoken"

"A global outreach"

"I can't go anywhere without being recognised" "Half recognised"

'Rowan Atkinson Dusts Off An Old Comedy Bit' - The Late Late Show With Stephen Colbert

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xl9XI_LvkHg

It is important to note the primary aim of this interview was to promote his new film Johnny English Strikes Again.

Becomes more of a 'lecture' with Atkinson as well as appreciating his past work that Colbert addresses to the audience.

His ideas of comedy just using a piece of paper and facial expressions which Colbert and the audience find so interesting in the interview here.

In a way he is giving a free comedy show to the audience and Colbert, we see the delight on Colbert's face, which highlights the qualities of the star image of Atkinson are prioritised within the characters he has played.

However quickly transitions to sit back down and reverse back to his normal self, despite getting a vast amount of praise, which he acknowledges, but you can tell he tries not to gloat about which could jeopardise him as not just as a star but as a person.

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Other Secondary Media  - Top Gear (2011)

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Other Secondary Media  - Top Gear (2011)

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Away from acting, we can find Rowan Atkinson involved in his love of cars by appearing at car events or shows like 'Top Gear'.

In a way, this constructs more about Atkinson's star image and tries to move him away slightly from his 'Mr Bean' image.

The link below details Atkinson at a car show in the South of France.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-12171473/ROWAN-ATKINSON-honeymoon-electric-vehicles-hang-old-petrol-motor.html

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Rowan Atkinson in Star in a Reasonably Priced Car | Top Gear - BBC

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Authenticity Ideas Example

The relationship between the star and the audience

This example from the 2012 Olympic Opening ceremony provides insights into how Atkinson's star image reflects onto an audience, as well as how he tries to move away from his Mr Bean Image but is still brought back into it

The star image of Atkinson is highly recognisable and marketable because audiences construct this image in the way they want it to be.

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Mr. Bean Live Performance at the London 2012 Olympic Games

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Snickers Mr Bean TV advert 2014 - What does the Mr Bean brand bring to the Snickers brand?

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Snickers Mr Bean TV advert 2014 - What does the Mr Bean brand bring to the Snickers brand?

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Other examples of this idea of celebrity 'indsutry' include:

Snickers UK - TV ad where Mr Bean demonstrates that you’re not Kung Fu when you’re #hungry

M&M (1997) - Red and Yellow M&M are shown bowling with Mr. Bean. What's interesting with this advert is that it is partnered with the 1997 film Bean and was said to have played before the film came on in cinemas.

We can also argue that using this star image to promote a brand falls into the idea of ownership and management.

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Secondary Media - Other Ideas of 'celebrity commodification'

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Secondary Media - Other Ideas of 'celebrity commodification'

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Builds on his star image and celebrity star status

A 'Rowan Atkinson masterclass'

Some aspects of authenticity - a people person, we see him giving back to the community by coming in to teach young talent at LIPA.

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Rowan Atkinson told students from LIPA Sixth Form College that Mr Bean had been specifically created for an international audience and that its global success had "pleased but not surprised" him.

The actor, comedian and writer was taking part in one of LIPA's In Conversation with... Q&A sessions at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts on 5 March, which LSFC acting students also attended. He said the idea for Mr Bean came while shopping in Venice during a holiday over 30-years ago. "It struck me that rock artists and musicians in many ways presumed an international market place for what they did. Generally, music can be heard and sold all over the world and everyone can appreciate it.

"I thought how odd that comedy is completely different to that? Generally, comedy is a very regional, parochial thing. In 1985, we hadn't done Mr Bean, we hadn't given him a name but I had been doing these visual comedy sketches. I thought I'm sure there is an international audience for that character, whoever he is. Because there are no words, you don't have to understand English to appreciate it."

The first series of Mr Bean was broadcast in the UK in 1990. Since then, it's been shown on 245 TV channels across the world and used as in-flight entertainment on over 100 airlines. As well as 15 episodes, there have also been two full-length feature films and a spin-off cartoon series.

Rowan traced the genesis of Mr Bean back to one of the first sketches he wrote, part of which he re-enacted in the Paul McCartney Auditorium.

A mainstay of his live performances, the character was developed with his long-time collaborator Richard Curtis - who co-wrote the first seven episodes of Mr Bean. The pair met as students at Oxford University. Rowan said the partnership - and collaboration generally - had been instrumental to his success. "I've always found it easier to be creative with a partner. Most of the successful performers I know formed creative partnerships, like me, at a very early age.

"It's so exciting when you work with someone, who you have empathy with. You may not always agree but it's so energising to have two people contributing to an idea. That's where real invention and real creativity comes from."

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Rowan Atkinson told students from LIPA Sixth Form College that Mr Bean had been specifically created for an international audience and that its global success had "pleased but not surprised" him. The actor, comedian and writer was taking part in one of LIPA's In Conversation with...

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Mr Bean has 80 million social media followers?

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Mr Bean has 80 million social media followers?

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"I tend to keep myself to myself a lot," Rowan admits

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Rowan Atkinson REFUSES to Be on Social Media, Even Though Mr. Bean Has 80 MILLION Facebook Followers