Rowan Sebastian Atkinson is an English actor, comedian, and writer. Before pursuing a career in comedy, he was completing a Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from Queens College in Oxford. He rose to fame because of his hit show, Mr. Bean. But did you know that the show only had a few episodes?

Even though many people claim to have watched dozens or even hundreds of Mr. Bean episodes over the last 30 years, there were only 15 episodes aired from 1992 to 1995.

Are There Only Fifteen Episodes? 

Even the most ardent fans find it difficult to accept that only 14 episodes of the live-action series were ever produced. Of course, it inspired two films, an animated series aired on British television again in 2015, a video game, and several books, including Mr. Bean’s Definitive and Extremely Marvelous Guide to France. (Source: Gem Pak)

Who Inspired Rowan Atkinson to Play the Role of Mr. Bean? 

Over the years, Atkinson has repeatedly cited French comedian Jacques Tati as one of Mr. Bean’s significant influences. 

My interest in physical comedy was from discovering a film by Jacques Tati called Mr. Hulot’s Holiday, it just struck a chord with me. I so admired it because it was an uncompromising comic attitude and setting that I really admired.

Rowan Atkinson, Comedian

(Source: Gem Pak)

Does Mr. Bean Speak French?

Before making his television debut, Atkinson performed the Mr. Bean character in front of an audience at the Just For Laughs festival in Montreal, Quebec. To ensure that the character’s near-silent comedy was translated, he requested to perform for a French-speaking audience rather than an English-speaking audience. (Source: Gem Pak)

What is Mr. Bean’s Supposed to be Character Name? 

Mr. Bean didn’t get his name until shortly before he debuted on television and after production had already begun. He was going to be called Mr. White at first. The show’s creators then started tossing around some vegetable names, including Mr. Cauliflower, before settling on Mr. Bean. (Source: Gem Pak)

How Did The Mr. Bean Show Start? 

Mr. Bean made his television debut on England’s ITV on January 1, 1990. But, Rowan Atkinson began developing the character more than a decade earlier while pursuing his master’s degree in electrical engineering.

I was asked in my first term at Oxford to do a sketch in this one-night show at the Oxford Playhouse, and I’d never written anything,I’m not really naturally a writer, so I just had to invent sort of five minutes of something at 48 hours’ notice. I just stood in front of the mirror and started to mess about with my face. And this strange, surreal, sort of non-speaking character evolved.

Rowan Atkinson, Comedian

While Mr. Bean began by looking in the mirror, Atkinson decided to trust what he was doing with his face after that first successful performance at Oxford.

In the sketch the following Sunday, I just went through a whole lot of facial expressions, I’m not sure whether there was a particular narrative, a logic to it, but I did my best and it certainly solicited laughter. But since then, I’ve hardly ever looked at my face, I hope it’s doing what I think it’s doing.

Rowan Atkinson, Comedian

(Source: Mental Floss)

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