Atkinson Does Mr. Bean Parking |
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Anthony Fontanelle
December 25, 2007
Rowan Atkinson, famed for his Mr. Bean character, has had a minor accident of his own, bumping into another car while parking at an American ski resort.
According to reports, the British comedian made a mistake when he backed an SUV into a woman's car in Aspen, Colorado. Atkinson was reversing from a parking meter when his four-by-four vehicle hit a Volkswagen Jetta, police said. The Jetta’s important parts such as the VW muffler were left without any damage.
"He was backing out of a parking spot and didn't see the car behind him," Sgt. Dan Davis told the Associated Press. “Atkinson would not be charged with any offence. There was a little bit of a damage to the car. He put a ding in it." Atkinson was known for his appearances in shows such as Not the Nine O'Clock News and Blackadder before introducing Mr. Bean in the United Kingdom in 1990. The television success of the clumsy comic character paved the way for two spin-off films and an animated cartoon series.
While promoting the most recent of those movies, Mr. Bean's Holiday, Atkinson drove a lime-green Mini into London's Leicester Square, BBC News reported. Atkinson parked it on the red carpet and then met fans who had gathered outside the cinema staging the film's premiere last March.
Atkinson’s UK agent was unavailable for comment about the mishap.
No citations were issued at the time, but both drivers swapped insurance details, police said.
The 57-year-old comic and his wife Sunetra are amongst a host of famous faces spending the Christmas holidays in the U.S. ski resort.
Other celebrities spending the holiday season on the slopes include Mariah Carey, Jack Nicholson, Goldie Hawn and partner Kurt Russell, and Heidi Klum and husband Seal, according to the Daily Mail. Will Smith and actress wife Jada Pinkett Smith will be hosting a huge New Year's Eve bash in Aspen next week, the report continued.
Atkinson is noted for his great passion for cars. It all started with driving his mother's Morris Minor. Matter of fact, he holds a UK HGV license, gained because trucks held a fascination for him, and to ensure employment as a young actor.
The comedian’s car collection is dominated by Aston Martins, including the DB7 Vantage used in his movie Johnny English. His Aston Martin V8 Zagato was driven by his character Dexter in the film The Tall Guy. Atkinson was cited for speeding in the car, just as his character was in the movie. As a consequence, he received a driving ban. In 2001, he raced in his Zagato from which he escaped unhurt after crashing it into a barrier at an Aston Martin owners’ club event in Yorkshire.
Atkinson owns two McLaren F1s, Audi A8, a green Ferrari 456GT, three Mercedes-Benzes including a silver taxi 500E with over 320hp, Honda Civic Hybrid, Bentley Mulsanne, Lancia Delta Integrale, MG XPower SV, and a Subaru Sherpa.
Source: Amazines.com