- Famous for his one-man stage show in which he recited the whole of St. Mark's Gospel.
- McCowen's one-scene role as a Cardinal in The Agony and the Ecstasy (1965) is uncredited, perhaps because of the actor's dissatisfaction with the way his already-brief role was trimmed during the editing. Essentially, the role was a single speech, a venomous diatribe against Michelangelo. It was not only shortened in the editing, it was also almost entirely played off a close-up of Charlton Heston listening to him. McCowen has always insisted that this foreshortening of his performance was done at Heston's insistence, although the two men worked again five years later in "The Hawaiians".
- Also an author of books about acting.
- He was awarded the OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in the 1972 Queen's New Years Honours List for his services to drama.
- Life partner of Geoffrey Burridge, who died September 30, 1987, age 38.
- Friends with Alan MacNaughtan.
- Attended The Skinners' School in Tunbridge Wells.
- Graduated from Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London, England.
- He was awarded the 1982 London Evening Standard Theatre Award for Best Actor for his performance in "The Portage of San Cristobal of A.H.".
- Had appeared in two adaptations of William Shakespeare's play "Henry V": The Life of Henry the Fifth (1979) and Henry V (1989). He played the Chorus in the former and the Bishop of Ely in the latter.
- Became an Associate Member of Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA).
- Was nominated for Broadway's Tony Awards three times: as Best Actor (Dramatic) for "Hadrian VII" (1969) and for "The Philanthropist" (1971); and as Best Actor (Play) for "St. Mark's Gospel" (1979).
- He was awarded the CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in the 1986 Queen's New Years Honours List for his services to drama.
- He worked in repertory companies at York, Rhyl and Llandudno.
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