He began his career in the 1926 silent film Bride of the Storm as Funeral Harry.

[2] Owen worked in radio during the 1940s and 1950s, teaming up with producer and director Jack Webb in several programs.

Some of his other film credits include Montana, The Black Castle, Back to God's Country, Perils of the Jungle, Brigadoon, The Oklahoma Woman, Congo Crossing and Jack the Giant Killer.

In 1954–55, Owen co-starred as Joe Ainsley alongside Thomas Mitchell and Kathleen Freeman in the sitcom Mayor of the Town.

He retired from show business after a 1965 guest appearance on the television series Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea.