One of the reasons modern society is so exhausting is that everyone has to continually provide their opinion on everything. Rowan Atkinson, the actor who played Mr. Bean and Johnny English, has joined fellow actors and comedians Kevin Hart and Dave Chappelle in clapping back at cancel culture.
The star of the British sitcom Mr. Bean criticized the growth of keyboard warriors, comparing them to a medieval mob roving the streets seeking for someone to burn. He also admitted that this fills him with “fear about the future.” Here’s why!
Rowan Atkinson On Social Media And Cancel Culture
Cancel culture has been popular in the past few years when everyone from regular folk to celebrities is made into a social pariah due to the things they have said or done. Last year, Johnny Depp called out cancel culture and detailed the effect of this toxic culture and its consequences on both himself and others.
And just like the actor, Rowan Atkinson took a stand to talk about the concept. In an interview, he told Radio Times that social media platforms are to be blamed for the increased levels of polarization, which he said makes him fearful for the future of freedom of speech.
The British star explained, “The problem we have online is that an algorithm decides what we want to see, which ends up creating a simplistic, binary view of society. It becomes a case of either you’re with us or against us. And if you’re against us, you deserve to be ‘canceled.’”
He further added, “It’s important that we’re exposed to a wide spectrum of opinion, but what we have now is the digital equivalent of the medieval mob roaming the streets looking for someone to burn. So it is scary for anyone who’s a victim of that mob, and it fills me with fear about the future.”
Rowan Atkinson On Death Hoax
Aside from the cancel culture swirling around the web, Rowan Atkinson is not new anymore to a death hoax. There have been many incidents in the past where celebrities have faced this issue. Unfortunately, Rowan became a victim of false reports of his alleged death.
In November 2021, the death report was posted on social media with a photo attached with the text claiming “Rest In Peace” on the portrait of the famous comedian. Another post, which was widely spread by many Facebook pages and users, claimed that the actor “has passed away.”
Although some likely believed the rumors, as thousands have shared the post, others were wise to identify it as false, and even made light of the fact that the actor seems to die regularly. One Twitter user wrote, “Why does Rowan Atkinson die every year?” Another tweeted, taking a more straightforwardly honest approach, “Rowan Atkinson is NOT dead the rumors are absolutely false…It’s a hoax.”
The official agent of Rowan Atkinson, PBJ Management, rejected the viral claim and clearly stated that “We can safely say that Mr. Atkinson is absolutely fine.” After decades in the limelight, Rowan has been quieter in recent years.
That may be a reason that he has repeatedly fallen prey to death hoaxes. When a celebrity is not seen in the public eye, it’s easy for false information to fly fast and furious.
He may not be as famous as he once was, but he hasn’t stepped away from public life entirely. In fact, he revealed in an interview that he is planning to voice Mr. Bean in an animated film.
Rowan Atkinson On His Mr. Bean Character
As much as cancel culture is stressful for someone who is a victim to it, Rowan Atkinson revealed that playing Mr. Bean was also a stressful character – although it has helped him hit a net worth of $130 million. He said that it is not something that he is looking forward to reprising in the future. “I don’t much enjoy playing him. The weight of responsibility is not pleasant. I find it stressful and exhausting, and I look forward to the end of it.”
However, he hasn’t completely ruled out a return to Mr. Bean as he has no hesitation about voicing the character for an animated film. “Having made an animated TV series, we’re now in the foothills of developing an animated movie for Mr. Bean – it’s easier for me to perform the character vocally than visually.”
Mr. Bean, created by Rowan Atkinson and Richard Curtis, ran from 1990 to 1995 and starred Rowan as the iconic character, who oftentimes finds himself having a tough time trying to accomplish simple tasks. It has also spawned television and animated series, along with films and books, though Rowan now aims to move away from reprising the role.