Barry Humphries, best known for his comedic character Dame Edna Everage, has passed away at the age of 89. The celebrity was hospitalized in Sydney after complications from hip surgery in March. His mishap occurred in February.
In the late 1980s, the Dame Edna Everage Experience, a chat program based on Humphries’ most famous creation, became a hit in the United Kingdom.
Sir Les Patterson, a lustful drinker, was one of his other guises.
In a statement, his family described him as “completely himself until the very end, never losing his brilliant mind, his distinctive wit, and his generous spirit.”
They stated that Humphries’ fans were “priceless to him” and that his characters, “which brought millions of people to laugh, will live on.”
Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese, paid tribute shortly after the news of Humphries’ demise was announced.
“A great wit, satirist, and author who was absolutely unique, he was both gifted and a gift,” said Mr. Albanese.
Born in Melbourne, Humphries relocated to London in 1959, starring in West End productions including Maggie May and Oliver!
Alongside Alan Bennett, Dudley Moore, and Spike Milligan, he became a prominent figure in the British comedy scene after being influenced by the Dada avant-garde art movement.
A friend of Humphries, the broadcaster Dame Joan Bakewell, told the BBC that he had an “extremely brilliant mind”
“A universe without Barry Humphries’ friendship would be extremely painful. “Because he was so resilient, energetic, loving, and direct, his absence has left a void in my life,” she said.
In a tweet, comedian Rory Bremner described Humphries as “lightning-fast, subversive, and mischievous… and savagely funny.”
He stated that with his passing,
“we lose a legendary figure.”
Rob Brydon, an actor, and comedian described Humphries as a “true great who immeasurably inspired me” and said it was a “pleasure to call him my friend.”
He stated that he was with him only three days ago, and he was “making me laugh as always.”
The Australian actor Jason Donovan tweeted a picture of himself with Dame Edna along with the remark that Humphries was a “truly entertaining genius.”
Ricky Gervais referred to Humphries as a “comedy genius,” while former Mock The Week presenter Dara Briain referred to him as “one of the funniest people in history.”
Little Britain actor Matt Lucas tweeted a photo of himself with Humphries with the caption “Quite simply, you were the greatest.”
Former British prime minister Boris Johnson, who edited the magazine to which Humphries contributed, referred to him as “one of the greatest Australians of all time and a comic genius.”
Sir Elton John stated, “Barry was the greatest person who ever lived. And, the most charming man ever. What a sorrowful day.”
Andrew Lloyd Webber shared a photo of himself with Humphries and wrote,
“We will no longer discuss obscure composers and out-of-style Victoriana.” How much I will mourn you.”
‘Hello, possums!’
In 1955, Humphries introduced the Moonee Ponds, Melbourne, housewife Mrs. Norman Everage in a university production.
It was the initial version of the unstoppable character that would characterize his career.
Humphries stated that his invention was only intended to last one week.
Instead, it grew into Dame Edna, his garish, sharp-tongued comic alter persona who would leave audiences in Australia and beyond in fits of laughter for decades. He stated that the character was modeled after his mother.
“Initially, Edna was excruciatingly shy,” Humphries told the Guardian in 2018. “Hard to believe!”
She became known for her lilac-streaked hair, flamboyant spectacles, and catchphrase, “Hello, possums!” as she became increasingly outrageous over time.
At the 2019 Royal Variety Show, Dame Edna surprised then-Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla, by sitting next to them and joking, “They’ve found me a better seat” before moving.
As the character, Humphries even authored the autobiography My Gorgeous Life.
His other well-known stage and screen characters included the more grandfatherly Sandy Stone.
In 2016, he said of Stone,
“I can finally feel myself becoming him.”
Barry Humphries also hosted six series for BBC Radio 2, the most recent of which was a three-part series commemorating the BBC’s centennial.
The commissioning administrator for Radio 2, Laura Busson, stated that his series “Barry Humphries Forgotten Musical Masterpieces” was wildly popular with audiences and would be published as a tribute to the comedian today on BBC Sounds.
In 2012, the comedic actor, author, director, and screenwriter who was also an avid landscape painter announced a final tour for his satirical one-man stage show. However, he returned last year with a series of retrospective performances.
In the 2003 Pixar animated film Finding Nemo, he provided the voice of the shark Bruce. He also appeared in the 1967 comedy Bedazzled, Spice World, The Hobbit, and Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie.
In 1982, Humphries was awarded the Officer of the Order of Australia, one of the nation’s highest civilian honors.
Later on in his career, he was criticized for describing gender affirmation surgery as “self-mutilation” and transgender identity as a “fashion.”
However, his Australian admirers are mourning the loss of a legendary comedian.
He was previously married four times and is survived by his fourth wife, Lizzie Spender, and four children.
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