Australian icon Barry Humphries, creator of Dame Edna, dies at 89
Picture of Barry Humphries
Australian comedian Barry Humphries is no more. The comic genius, who was best known for his character, Dame Edna Everage, died at the age of 89.
The comedian breathed his last at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney, where he was undergoing treatment. As per the reports, Barry was rushed to the hospital over thecomplications from hip replacement surgery.
In February, Humphries suffered an injury after he fell while reaching for a book. Later, he underwent surgery at the hospital, and earlier this week, he was taken to the hospitalagain.
Barry was best known for playing his alter egos, Dame Edna Everage and Sir Les Patterson.
''He was completely himself until the very end, never losing his brilliant mind, his unique wit and generosity of spirit. With over 70 years on the stage, he was an entertainer to his core, touring up until the last year of his life and planning more shows that will sadly never be,” his family said in a statement.
They added: “His audiences were precious to him, and he never took them for granted. Although he may be best remembered for his work in theatre, he was a painter, author, poet, collector and lover of art in all its forms. He was also a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, friend and confidant to many. His passing leaves a void in so many lives".
Soon after the news broke, tributes for Humphries started pouring in.
Comedian Ricky Gervais tweeted: "Farewell, Barry Humphries, you Comedy genius."
Anthony Albanese, The Prime Minister for Australia, tweeted: "For 89 years, Barry Humphries entertained us through a galaxy of personas, from Dame Edna to Sandy Stone. But the brightest star in that galaxy was always Barry. A great wit, satirist, writer and an absolute one-of-kind, he was both gifted and a gift. May he rest in peace."
Piers Morgan wrote: "RIP Barry Humphries, 89. One of the funniest people I’ve ever met. A wondrously intelligent, entertaining, daring, provocative, mischievous comedy genius. As hilarious in private as he was as the iconic Dame Edna. What a life, what a character. Thanks for all the laughs, Barry."
Born and raised in Melbourne, John Barry Humphries wasbest known for hisdrag characterof a suburban housewife, DameEdna Everage - with light purplecoloured hair, diamond-encrustedcat glasses and with phrases like “Hello Possums!," Edna becamea huge hit in the 1970s.
In his illustrious career that spanned more than six decades, Humphries worked as an actor, director, and scriptwriter,and wroteseveral books, twoautobiographies and plays.
For his outstanding contribution to the arts, hereceived several big national honours in Australia and the United Kingdom. In 1982, he was honoured with Officer of the Order of Australiafor services to theatre and in 2007 Queen Elizabeth made him a Commander of the Order of the British Empire.
(With inputs fromagency)
