Barry Humphries speaks after winning the Wizard of Oz award for his fictional character Sir Les Patterson during the Oldie Of The Year Awards 2021 at The Savoy Hotel in London on 19 October, 2021. Photo: AFP / Pool / Chris Jackson
Renowned Australian actor and satirist Barry Humphries has died at the age of 89.
He was best known for his comic alter egos Dame Edna Everage and Sir Les Patterson, but also appeared in more than 20 films and authored numerous books and stage plays.
A statement from Humphries's family said he passed away peacefully in Sydney while surrounded by family.
"He was completely himself until the very end, never losing his brilliant mind, his unique wit and generosity of spirit," the statement said.
"With over seventy 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 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, and a collector and lover of Art in all its forms. He was also a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and a friend and confidant to many.
"His passing leaves a void in so many lives.
"The characters he created, which brought laughter to millions, will live on."
Humphries died on Saturday at St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney, where he had earlier been admitted due to ongoing complications from hip surgery.
'One of a kind'
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese led the tributes for Humphries, saying he was "one of a kind".
For 89 years, Barry Humphries entertained us through a galaxy of personas, from Dame Edna to Sandy Stone.
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) April 22, 2023
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. pic.twitter.com/oSAKpxPGae
Opposition leader Peter Dutton said the country had "lost its finest cultural raconteur", while former British prime minister Boris Johnson described Humphries as "one of the greatest ever Australians".
RIP Barry Humphries - one of the greatest ever Australians - and a comic genius who used his exuberant alter egos, Dame Edna Everage and Sir Les Patterson, to say the otherwise unsayable. Also an infallibly brilliant Spectator contributor. What a loss.
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) April 22, 2023
British comedian Ricky Gervais said "Farewell, Barry Humphries, you comedy genius", while Little Britain star Matt Lucas tweeted: "Quite simply, you were the greatest."
Australian comedian Rove McManus posted a "sad farewell" to Humphries accompanied by a photo of him and Dame Edna.
A sad farewell to the legend that was Barry Humphries today. From Dame Edna to Sir Les Patterson to Sandy Stone, his characters left an indelible legacy on the history of Australian comedy. pic.twitter.com/YvsvdrwRFF
— Rove McManus (@Rove) April 22, 2023
Author Kathy Lette, a prominent Australian ex-pat in London, said she was "heartbroken" at Humphries's death.
"Farewell to my favourite person," she tweeted.
"RIP dearest darling."
A six-decade career
(Australian comedian, actor and author Barry Humphries, dressed as his alter ego, Dame Edna Everage, at a press conference in Sydney on 5 July, 2012. Photo: AFP / Pool / Greg Wood
Humphries was born in Melbourne in 1934 but scored his first major break after moving to London when he was cast in the original 1960 stage production of the musical Oliver!
He co-wrote the 1972 film The Adventures of Barry McKenzie in which he also played three roles.
His signature stage and television persona, Dame Edna Everage, was created in the 1950s but gained worldwide fame through her television programs in the 1980s and 1990s.
Humphries received numerous awards throughout his career, including a Lifetime Achievement Award at the British Comedy Awards, and a Tony Award for his Dame Edna: The Royal Tour show.
He was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 1982 for his services to the theatre and Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2007.
From 2000 to 2019, the Melbourne Comedy Festival named its prize for most outstanding comedy act the Barry Award in honour of Humphries.
Humphries faced criticism for comments late in his career, in which he referred to gender affirmation surgery as "self-mutilation" and described transgender identity as a "fashion".
In 2019, the comments led to the Melbourne Comedy Festival renaming the award that was previously named in his honour.
Humphries is survived by his fourth wife, Lizzie Spender, and he was father to four children who followed him into the arts: actor Tessa, studio owner Emily, fine art and design dealer and journalist Oscar, and screenwriter and games developer Rupert.
He also had 10 "beloved" grandchildren.
- ABC
