Australian actor and comedian Barry Humphries has passed away at the age of 89. The entertainer had been in the hospital for the last few days following complications that arose due to hip surgery and died on April 22nd in the presence of his family.
Humphries was well known for his comic characters Dame Edna Everage and Sir Les Patterson. He also appeared in several theater productions, television shows, and films and was widely regarded as one of the best comedians of the 20th century.
Barry Humphries Passes Away at 89
Humphries had a fall in February this year and had to undergo hip surgery the following month. A few weeks ago, he had revealed that he was in great pain while undergoing physiotherapy. He died owing to complications from the surgery on Saturday in a hospital in Sydney.
Humphries’ death was announced by his family with a statement: “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 audiences were precious to him, and he never took them for granted. Although he may be best remembered for his work in theater, 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 friend and confidant to many. His passing leaves a void in so many lives.”
Humphries Began his Career in the 1950s
The actor rose to fame in the 1950s as a member of the Melbourne theatrical community, where he quickly gained recognition for his wit and humor. In 1956, he conceived the idea of Dame Edna Everage, a comedic persona that has become an iconic figure in Australian and British culture over the years, and got him his own TV show.
In addition to his successful career as a comedian, Humphries has also achieved success as an actor, and featured in numerous films and television shows, including Side by Side, The Leading Man, and The Getting of Wisdom. He has received several accolades throughout his career, including the Tony Award, the Helpmann Award, and the Order of Australia.
Tributes Pour In for the Comedian
Anthony Albanese, the Prime Minister of Australia, paid tribute to Humphries by tweeting, “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.”
Television presenter Joan Bakewell also said, “A world in which I don’t have the friendship of Barry Humphries is really painful. Because he was so resilient and energetic and loving and direct… that’s a great absence in my life now.”
May Barry Humphries’ soul rest in peace! Stay tuned for more news and updates.
