Remember Mr. Bean?
Even though it's been decades since his debut, on January 1, 1990, on British ITV, Mr. Bean continues to be just as funny, or even funnier!
The creation of the character took Rowan Atkinson more than 10 years. It all started with the actor in front of a mirror, putting on weird faces...
He has shown that you can make quality comedy without saying a word. Mr. Bean rarely needed to say anything to make millions of people laugh.
The original 'Mr. Bean' series only has 15 episodes (from 1990 to 1995 on ITV), and yet we still remember the guy as if there were hundreds of them.
In the 21st century, Rowan Atkinson made a few new series: 'Mr. Bean' (2002-2019) and 'Handy Bean' (2018-2020).
The series has been broadcast in more than 200 countries around the world.
In addition to the series, Mr. Bean gave us two feature films, an animated series, a video game, and some books.
An example of his literary oeuvre was 'The Definitive and Extremely Wonderful Guide to France directed by Mr. Bean'.
'Bean: The Ultimate Disaster Movie' (1997) delivered us this piece of art. It was originally the priceless classic 'Whistler's Mother', but Mr. Bean made the masterpiece all his own...
Rowan Atkinson's bromance with Peter MacNicol in 'Bean: the Movie' was absolutely wonderful.
In the end, though, Bean only needed a mirror to have a great time.
His first movie cost only $18 million and grossed $251 million. It was a serious box office hit.
With that success, Mr. Bean could afford himself a trip to France in 2007. That's when he released the movie 'Mr. Bean's Holiday.'
Rowan Atkinson admitted that he doesn't look in the mirror anymore to practice his funny grimaces. He did so in the beginning, to rehearse Mr. Bean's gestures, but 30-something years later he doesn't even realize what they look like anymore...
His car, a British Leyland Mini 1000, has become the accomplice of many Mr. Bean adventures.
The situations Bean faces are those of many people's daily lives. Of course, not everyone confronts those situations in the way he does...
Rowan Atkinson has often said that his greatest influence in creating Mr. Bean was Jacques Tati, the French comedian who starred in 'Hulot's Holiday.'
In the beginning, Mr. Bean was going to be called Mr. White. But luckily, Rowan Atkinson changed the name, because Bean sound much catchier and funnier.
Richard Curtis, the co-creator of Mr. Bean, is also in part responsible for iconic movies like 'Bridget Jones' Diary,' 'Four Weddings and a Funeral,' and 'Love Actually'.
Mr. Bean was at the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics. His speech was accompanied by the epic soundtrack to 'Chariots of Fire'.
Rowan Atkinson wanted to retire the character in 2012, but he found himself unable to do it. Mr. Bean was too popular around the world.
Rowan Atkinson returned in 2015 with 'The Funeral,' a short film to celebrate his 25th anniversary.
Mr. Bean's adventures are examples of stubbornness and overcoming. When he wants something, he does not stop until he gets it, even if the methods are not the most appropriate...
Mr. Bean is a child in the body of an adult. This way, he manages to get the audience to empathize with him, even though he's often selfish and egocentric.
Mr. Bean is a very ordinary guy, not used to new flavors and culinary experiences, but he always dares to try and compare them.
Even though he's past the conventional retirement age, Rowan Atkinson continues to play Mr. Bean. There's even a new series coming up! The project doesn't have a title or release date so far, but we won't miss it once it's there.
Some people say that Rowan Atkinson, without his funny Mr. Bean face, is actually quite handsome... What do you think?