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‘Talented and iconic’: Barry Humphries’ family in talks with Victorian government

The heartbroken family of Barry Humphries is set to determine how the legendary Australian comedian will be honoured. Send us your tributes.

Danielle Gusmaroli, David Mills, Maria Bervanakis, Tiffany Bakker, Laura Placella and Zoe Smith
11 min read
April 23, 2023 - 4:35PM
News Corp Australia Network
Aussie comedy legend Barry Humphries dies, aged 89

The Victorian government is in talks with the family of Barry Humphries to determine how the legendary Australian comedian will be honoured.

Humphries, who was born and raised in Melbourne’s leafy east, passed away on Saturday night in a Sydney hospital, aged 89.

Barry Humphries as Dame Edna Everage when the global megastar received the key to the city from Melbourne's Lord Mayor.
Barry Humphries as Dame Edna Everage when the global megastar received the key to the city from Melbourne's Lord Mayor.

“It really is the end of a pretty profound era,” Creative Industries Minister Steve Dimopoulos said on Sunday.

“He was extraordinarily talented and iconic – and he was Victorian.

“It’s no accident that someone of that stature globally comes from Victoria.”

He confirmed the state government is currently “in conversation” with the comedian’s family.

“I want to extend my condolences to Barry Humphries’ family and everybody who loved him at a time that is very sad for them,” he said.

The world is mourning the loss of comic genius Barry Humphries. Picture: David Caird
The world is mourning the loss of comic genius Barry Humphries. Picture: David Caird

“But we’re in conversation with his family in relation to the best way to honour his legacy and his contribution to Victoria, so there’ll be more information to come at an appropriate time.”

He said a “range” of ideas were being discussed, such as a state funeral.

Melbourne International Comedy Festival (MICF) director Susan Provan said Humphries, renowned for creating the character Dame Edna Everage, will always be celebrated for his comedic genius.

Barry Humphries put Australian comedy on the global map.
Barry Humphries put Australian comedy on the global map.
The beloved star as iconic character Les Patterson.
The beloved star as iconic character Les Patterson.
Barry Humphries with wife Lizzie Spender at the races in Newbury in 2021. Picture: Getty Images
Barry Humphries with wife Lizzie Spender at the races in Newbury in 2021. Picture: Getty Images

“Barry made an extraordinary contribution to Australian comedy, to putting Australian comedy on a global platform,” she said.

“He made a very positive contribution to the Melbourne Comedy Festival, particularly in our early days.”

Humphries’ name was stripped from the festival’s highest honour in 2019 – which was known as the Barry Award – after the comedian made a number of controversial comments about transgender people.

But Ms Provan said “nothing could ever detract from his great contribution as an artist”.

‘AN ENTERTAINER TO HIS CORE’

The world is mourning the loss of stage great Barry Humphries, who entertained global audiences for seven decades through his unforgettable comic creations, including the beloved Dame Edna Everage.

Humphries died in Sydney on Saturday with his family by his side, after complications from a broken hip.

“It is with great sadness that we announce that Barry Humphries passed away peacefully in Sydney, Australia today. He was surrounded by his family,” Humphries’ family said in a statement.

Our beloved Dame Edna Everage is gone. Picture: David Caird
Our beloved Dame Edna Everage is gone. Picture: David Caird

“He was completely himself until the very end, never losing his brilliant mind, his unique wit and generosity of spirit.

“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,” the statement read.

Barry Humphries (in costume as character Edna Everage) and Barry Crocker (as character Barry McKenzie) during promotion for their film The Adventures of Barry McKenzie in 1972.
Barry Humphries (in costume as character Edna Everage) and Barry Crocker (as character Barry McKenzie) during promotion for their film The Adventures of Barry McKenzie in 1972.

“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. We ask that everyone please respect the family’s privacy during this very difficult time.”

He is survived by his wife Lizzie, his children Tessa, Emily, Oscar and Rupert, and 10 beloved grandchildren.”

Barry Humphries has left an indelible mark on the culture. Picture: Dylan Robinson
Barry Humphries has left an indelible mark on the culture. Picture: Dylan Robinson

Humphries was initially admitted to hospital in February after he fell reaching for a book in his Sydney apartment and injuring his hip,which required a “painful” hip replacement.

He said at the time he planned to “get back on my feet” as he had a tour planned, but the star’s condition never improved, and his London-based sons, Oscar and Rupert, along with Australian-based daughters, Emily and Tessa, were summoned to his bedside.

He died surrounded by his immediate family, including his wife of 30 years Lizzie Spender, his children and 10 grandchildren.

Gallery: Barry Humphries’ iconic life in pictures
Australian Icon Barry Humphries with his exhibition of paintings at the Philip Bacon Galleries in Fortitude Valley. Photo Lachie Millard
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‘GENIUS’: AUSSIE TRIBUTES TO HUMPHRIES

News Corp CEO and Chairman, Rupert Murdoch, paid tribute to his longtime friend.

“In whatever guise, Barry was a genuine genius,” Mr Murdoch said. “His works, his creations, his spirit will echo across the generations and his friendship is eternal.”

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the star “one of a kind”.

“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.”

“Australia has lost its finest cultural raconteur, its most brilliant satirist, and its greatest cultural comedian with the passing of the witty and wonderful Barry Humphries AO CBE,” Liberal leader Peter Dutton tweeted.

“He will forever be a treasured Australian icon. May he rest in peace.”

Similarly NSW Premier Chris Minns posted: “Barry and his alter ego Dame Edna Everage set the world’s stages and screens alight.”

Labor MP Tanya Plibersek said Humphries “lit up our screens and stage with his wit, creativity, and charm”.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said “we lost a legend”, noting his memorable performance for Queen Elizabeth’s golden jubilee.

Barry Humphries transformed comedy and took Australian humour to the world. Picture: Supplied
Barry Humphries transformed comedy and took Australian humour to the world. Picture: Supplied

“And his legacy will live on through his many larger-than-life characters and iconic writing.” Bill Shorten, the Federal Labor Member for Maribyrnong which takes in Moonee Ponds, said: “Farewell to my favourite (fictional) constituent Dame Edna Everidge. You put Moonee Ponds on the map. Well played Barry you were a legend!”

Australian comedian Adam Hills remembered Humphries as “nothing but an utter gentleman to me, and occasionally a Dame”.

He remembered him as one of the greatest comedians, and noted that; “appropriately, he took his final bow on a Saturday night.”

Entertainment reporter Richard Wilkins AM remembered Humphries as “a comic genius and a beautiful soul”.

Adam Hills with Barry Humphries as Dame Edna Everage on the 2006 Spicks and Specks Christmas special.
Adam Hills with Barry Humphries as Dame Edna Everage on the 2006 Spicks and Specks Christmas special.

Funnyman Shaun Micallef tweeted: “No one made me laugh as much or for so many years. VALE Barry Humphries”.

Australian author Kathy Lette tweeted “farewell to my favourite person”, while Dannii Minogue paid tribute to Humphries for his “cheeky humour that will be very missed”.

Actor Jason Donovan said “Australia has lost one of its greatest” in a post accompanied by a photo with Dame Edna.

Comedian Rove McManus shared a photo with Dame Edna while paying tribute to Humphries’ legacy on the history of Australian comedy.

TV personality Steve Vizard tweeted: “Nightnight Barry Humphries. The most unforgettably subversive, wicked, insightful, and wildly hilarious of them all. Travel well friend on your final tram trip to that great Wattle Park in the sky. “Only half a pint today Milko. Money under brick. PS Nothing tomorrow.”

Journalist Phillip Adams, who co-produced the 1972 comedy film The Adventures of Barry McKenzie, based on one of Humphries’ characters, said Humphries was “the cleverest person he had ever known.”

Similarly journalist Derryn Hinch said: “Such sad but expected news. Barry Humphries was the best, most clever, comedian Australia has ever seen.”

Comic Marty Fields described Humphries as “The greatest improv comic Australia has ever produced”. He added: “A God of comedy. What a massive loss. Vale Barry Humphries.”

Author and journalist Justin Smith recalled: “He came into the station to be interviewed one morning. He was offered a coffee and someone brought him a Nescafé. ‘Darling,’ he said with gentle manners. ‘This is poison.’

ENTERTAINMENT WORLD MOURNS

The news of Humphries’ death, where the entertainer was enormously popular, also hit the UK hard.

Broadcaster Sir Michael Parkinson remembered Humphries as a “genius” and one of his favourite talk show guests “of all time”.

“I have lost a dear friend of many years,” Sir Michael said.

Michael Parkinson with Dame Edna Everage at the recording of Parkinson's final chat show.
Michael Parkinson with Dame Edna Everage at the recording of Parkinson's final chat show.

“Barry was a cultured, highly intelligent, fascinating man who just happened to create, in Dame Edna Everage, one of the everlasting comedy characters of all time as well as one of my favourite guests on my talk show.

“In a time when the word is bandied around far too easily, we have truly lost a genius. I shall miss him and the dame in equal measure. So will we all.”

Former British prime minister Boris Johnson called him “one of the greatest ever Australians”.

“He was 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,” he said.

Dame Edna brought laughter to millions. Picture: Fox Australia.
Dame Edna brought laughter to millions. Picture: Fox Australia.

Singer and actor Cliff Richard said singing with Dame Edna Everage on the ‘The Dame Edna Experience in 1987 was unforgettable.

“Rest In Peace Barry Humphries,” he tweeted.

King Charles’ former sister-in-law, Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, revealed her sadness around the loss of “dearest Barry”.

“Thank you dearest Barry for giving my father so much kindness and [from] all my family — we will miss your amazing brilliance.”

“I wonder if all geniuses are as lovely as Barry Humphries. Thank you for delighting and inspiring us. Quite simply, you were the greatest,” wrote Matt Lucas, the former Great British Bake Off star and Little Britain funnyman.

Lucas’ comedy partner David Walliams said: “Seeing Barry Humphries was like being struck by a thunderbolt”.

British comedian Jimmy Carr, who is on tour in Australia, tweeted: “A bit bittersweet doing gigs in Australia this evening, Barry Humphries has passed and no one will ever be as good at crowd work again.”

A teary Richard E. Grant remembered Humphries coming to see his one-man performance at the Sydney Opera House last November.

“He was on hilarious form – the slyest wit, and incredibly supportive and generous,” the British actor said. “They broke the mould with him. Goodbye possums.”

British comedian Rob Brydon said he’d seen Humphries just “three days ago”.

“He was, as ever, making me laugh. His talent shone until the very end,” Brydon wrote. “My love goes out to Lizzie and all the family.”

Even staff of London’s Underground paid tribute to the “phenomenal talent from Australia” Humphries, writing a touching poem as part of the “All on the Board” initiative.

“As you walk into heaven saying ‘hello possums! Paradise will be a funnier place from tonight”.

British comedian Ricky Gervais simply said: “Farewell, Barry Humphries, you Comedy genius.”

British broadcaster Piers Morgan remembered Humphries as “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.”

“Farewell and thank you to the great Dame Edna aka Barry Humphries,” Hollywood legend Mia Farrow wrote. “Condolences to his wife, friends and family.”

Scottish funnyman Rory Bremner said: “Heavens. With the passing of Barry Humphries we lose an all-time great. “Lightning quick, subversive, mischievous, widely read, deeply knowledgeable about art, music & literature- & savagely funny. Dame Edna is arguably the greatest comic persona ever. Les Patterson too. True genius.”

Barry Humphries with wife, Lizzie Spender, who was by his side when he died. Picture: Getty Images
Barry Humphries with wife, Lizzie Spender, who was by his side when he died. Picture: Getty Images

Comedian Dara O Briain described Barry Humphries as “one of the absolute funniest people ever”.

“RIP Barry Humphries, one of the absolute funniest people ever,” O Briain tweeted.

“A huge life, lived long and well. He will be missed.”

A BEAUTIFUL MIND

Adored for his brilliant mind and his withering but generally affectionate take on Australian culture, Humphries was a truly global success, conquering West End, Broadway and talk show circuits around the world.

While he had a number of characters in his comedy repertoire, Sir Les Patterson was reportedly his personal favourite. Portraying the permanently inebriated and priapic ‘Cultural Attache’ “releases my inner vulgarity,” Humphries once said.

But Dame Edna was his standout.

Barry Humphries, pictured in 1969, conquered the world’s stages. Picture: Supplied
Barry Humphries, pictured in 1969, conquered the world’s stages. Picture: Supplied

Originally born in 1955 for a skit the then 21-year-old Humphries was performing in Melbourne, Mrs Edna Everage was originally just a Moonee Ponds housewife.

But after she was made a “dame” in the 1974 film Barry McKenzie Holds His Own, by Prime Minister Gough Whitlam, Edna became a more over-the-top figure – and audiences loved it.

British audiences embraced her with particular relish after she appeared on prime time chat show Russell Harty Plus in 1974, where she earned a reputation as “Australia’s greatest export”.

Humphries’ 1979 show A Night With Dame Edna won him the Olivier Award for Best Comedy Performance in 1979, and a slew of global tours and TV specials followed, among them The Dame Edna Experience (1987) and The Dame Edna Treatment (2007).


EARLY YEARS

In his 1994 memoir, Humphries reflected on his life growing up in Melbourne’s Kew and how his parents named him “Sunny Sam” because of his upbeat demeanour and desire to entertain.

The eldest of four children, Humphries was born to a construction manager father who indulged his every whim and to a mother “who was very good at knowing what was common and what was not common”.

He would spend hours in the back garden dressing up as different characters, and relished entertaining people from an early age.

Educated at Camberwell Grammar School and Melbourne Grammar School, Humphries shunned sports and mathematics but excelled in English and art.

He studied philosophy, fine arts and law at Melbourne University, but dropped out after two years.

In addition to Humphries, Australia is mourning his most iconic comic creation, Dame Edna Everage. Picture: Rohan Kelly
In addition to Humphries, Australia is mourning his most iconic comic creation, Dame Edna Everage. Picture: Rohan Kelly

From 1952 to 1953, he was involved with a group that created several recordings that were inspired by the Dadaist art movement. By the mid 1950s he was treading the boards in revues and satirical comedies in both Melbourne and Sydney.

Humphries married an “exquisite young dancer” Brenda Wright, at the age of 21, but later admitted his main motivation was to escape his parents.

They divorced a year later in 1957.

An addiction to alcohol in the 1960s affected his professional as well as personal life. It was the reason for the breakdown of his marriage with Wright and also attributed to the failure of his second marriage to Rosalind Tong.

GLOBAL SUPERSTAR

Humphries appeared in many films and TV shows over the years, with some duds and some smash hits.

His eclectic list of screen credits includes The Naked Bunyip (1970), Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1978), Shock Treatment (1981), The Secret Policeman’s Other Ball (1982), Finding Nemo (2003) and The Hobbit (2011).

His TV credits include the 1999 ABC series Flashback, a nostalgic look at some of the more under-appreciated aspects of Australian culture.

Barry Humphries as Sir Les Patterson. Picture: AP
Barry Humphries as Sir Les Patterson. Picture: AP

In more recent years, Humphries courted controversy with transphobic comments, telling The Daily Telegraph that trans women were “mutilated men” and Caitlyn Jenner was a “publicity-seeking ratbag”.

His words prompted calls for him to be sacked from his BBC Radio 2 show.

He claimed he had been taken out of context, but faced similar criticisms in 2018 after he called transgenderism a “fashion” in an interview with The Spectator.

MAN BEHIND THE MASK

For all his different faces, Humphries was an enigma.

During his brief one man tour show The Man Behind the Mask in April 2022 he was to say: “The one character I’ve never fully explored is myself”.

While the tributes to Humphries upon his death have been glowing, there were times when he was regarded as a little too caustic.

His one-time agent Harry M Miller, who died in 2018, wrote about Humphries’ “occasional lapses into cruelty” in his memoir.

“He can be very wicked and never hesitates to take the piss out of people. But he operated on a genius level, and with that comes forgiveness,” Miller wrote.

Barry Humphries.
Barry Humphries.

His death comes after he broke a hip around Christmas time.

“It was the most ridiculous thing, like all domestic incidents are. I was reaching for a book, my foot got caught on a rug or something, and down I went,” Humphries explained at the time.

He is survived by his fourth wife Lizzie Spender (daughter of poet laureate and novelist Sir Stephen Spender) and by four children: sones Rupert and Oscar and daughters Emily and Tessa.

Among the many honours he received during his lifetime, he was made an Officer of the order of Australia (AO) in 1982 and a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2007.

More Coverage

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Originally published as ‘Talented and iconic’: Barry Humphries’ family in talks with Victorian government

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/barry-humphries-dead-at-89/news-story/42d5e2964bd7e79bdcec8919c0a6d0fa