Alun Owen was born on 24th November 1925 in Menai Bridge, Anglesey, Wales. His family moved to Liverpool when he was eight years old, and he grew up bilingual, drawing on both his Welsh roots and his adopted Merseyside home throughout his later writing. He worked as an actor in repertory theatre before turning to writing, and became one of the leading television dramatists of the late 1950s and 1960s, helping to pioneer the gritty, realist style of British TV drama with plays such as 'No Trams to Lime Street' (1959) and 'After the Funeral' (1960).
He is best remembered for writing the screenplay of The Beatles' debut feature film, 'A Hard Day's Night' (1964), which earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay. The film also featured fellow Welsh actor Victor Spinetti, and Owen's connection to The Beatles' circle extended to Welsh singer Mary Hopkin, who was signed to the band's Apple label.
Owen continued writing for stage, film and television throughout his career. He died in London on 6th December 1994, aged 69.
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Welsh playwright and screenwriter, Oscar-nominated for writing The Beatles' A Hard Day's Night (1964).
Alun Owen
Playwright, Screenwriter & Actor
Born in Menai Bridge, Anglesey, Wales
Owen worked with Welsh actor Victor Spinetti, a fellow member of The Beatles' film circle, and his links to the band's wider orbit also connected him to Welsh singer Mary Hopkin, signed to The Beatles' Apple record label in the late 1960s.
Career Highlights
Wrote the Oscar-nominated screenplay for A Hard Day's Night (1964)
Pioneered gritty, realist British TV drama with No Trams to Lime Street (1959)
Began his career as a repertory theatre actor before turning to writing
ℹ️ Born 24th November 1925, Menai Bridge, Anglesey, Wales.