Rowan Atkinson created and played the television character Mr. Bean from 1990 onward.
Mr. Bean is a largely silent comic character whose physical behavior, misunderstandings, and improvised problem-solving drive the stories. Atkinson developed the character from his stage and sketch-comedy work, emphasizing visual performance that could be understood internationally with little dialogue.
The original Mr. Bean television series premiered in the United Kingdom in 1990. It ran for 15 episodes, but the character became much more widely known through international broadcasts, animated adaptations, and two feature films: Bean and Mr. Bean’s Holiday.
Atkinson is also known for playing Edmund Blackadder in the historical sitcom Blackadder. Ricky Gervais and Peter Kay are fellow British comedians, but neither created Mr. Bean. Atkinson’s performance is the defining element of the character.