Barry Humphries: 5 Facts About Australian Comedian and Dame Edna Creator, Died at 89

• Barry Humphries is best known as an Australian comedian.
• His most beloved character was Dame Edna Everage.
• He died at the age of 89 on April 22, 2023.

barry humphries he died at the age of 89. The Australian comedian, best known for his comedic character Dame Edna Everage, died on Saturday after being in a hospital in Sydney, Australia, from complications from hip surgery he underwent in March, according to the his family. Final term. “He was completely himself to the end, never losing his brilliant mind, unique intelligence and generosity of spirit,” his family said in a statement. “With over 70 years on stage, he was an artist at heart, touring in the last year of his life and planning more shows that sadly never happen.”

Friends and fans took to social media shortly after news of Barry’s death hit the headlines, with many lauding the legacy he left behind. “One of my comic heroes has passed away. His subversive comedy has always made us laugh our hearts out and we will continue to laugh with him and his creations forever. crybaby Light. “Australia has lost one of its best! Funny, cultured and fiercely intelligent, Barry Humphries was simply an entertainment genius. The characters he created made millions laugh… My thoughts are with the family on this sad day! other Light.

Barry was best known for his comedic characters, including Dame Edna Everage.

The character, originally conceived in 1956 and played by Barry for seven decades, was a condescending snob and one of the most beloved characters he ever brought forth. He wore a purple wig, special glasses and long dresses like Edna and spoke with a different accent. The act was initially part of a one-man show, but moved to television and even made his John B. Murray film debut. The Bunyip Nu in 1970.

The Sydney Morning Herald called Edna “a perfect parody of a vain modern celebrity with an unbridled ego and a strong dislike for the public (whom celebrities pretend to love, but really, as Edna so boldly makes clear, really hate her cheap shoes ). of her her values ​​suburban of her).

One of the other popular characters played by Barry was Sir Les Patterson who was the exact opposite personality of Dame Edna Everage. He was portrayed as a Roman Catholic from Sydney and first appeared in one of Barry’s one man shows in 1974. The character has gone on to television and film and has also appeared in a few Dame Edna shows. He also presented a documentary on the transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong which was called, Sir Les and great Chinese foodin 1997.

He started dressing up as a character as a child.

Barry had previously revealed that he would spend hours dressing up alone in a garden when his dad had little time with him. “I dressed up as different characters and had a whole box of clothes to wear…red indian, sailor suit, chinese suit and was very spoiled that way…I also found that entertaining people gave me a great sense of relief, making people feel better. people laugh. it was a great way to become friends with them. People couldn’t hit you if they were laughing,” she said. the Telegraph.

Barry has also worked as a film producer, screenwriter and painter.

He was a man of many talents and began his professional career in the early 1950s. After studying at the University of Melbourne, Barry joined the Melbourne Theater Company which was new at the time. Eventually he moved to London, England and was involved in more projects, including contributions to satirical magazine. private detective. your cartoon, The Wonderful World of Barry McKenzie it was one of his most popular.

Barry’s paintings were landscape paintings and his work is in public and private collections. He also enjoyed collecting art by other artists and was known to have an impressive collection, including one of the largest private collections of artists. charles conder in the world. When it comes to screenwriting, Barry has written many of the scripts for his Dame Edna Everage shows and more.

He has been married four times.

first married Brenda Wright in 1955, when she was 21, and the marriage lasted two years. he went to get married Rosalind Tong in 1959 and their marriage lasted until 1970. They had daughters Tessa AND emily during their time together. Barry’s third wife was Diane Millstead from 1979 to 1989, and they had one son Oscars Together. At the time of his death, Barry was married to the actress elizabeth spenderwith whom he exchanged vows in 1990.

Barry admitted he was in “agony” just weeks before he died.

Unfortunately, the funny comedian had to have a hip replacement after a fall and he said The Sydney Morning Herald that physiotherapy was “agony”. He also called the way he landed “ridiculous” when he described the moment. “It was the most ridiculous thing, as all domestic accidents are. I was picking up a book, my foot got stuck in a rug or something and I fell,” he told her.

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