Barry Humphries, creator of Dame Edna Everage, dead at 89

Some of the world’s biggest names have lined up to share their love for Australian comedy legend Barry Humphries while his family considers a state funeral.

Legendary Australian comedian Barry Humphries has died at the age of 89.

His family has said he “never lost his brilliant mind” even at the end. While Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has remembered him as the “brightest star in the galaxy” and King Charles said he was “saddened” by the tragic news.

Humphries – famed for iconic comedy characters like Dame Edna Everage and Sir Les Patterson – died on Saturday following recent health issues caused by a broken hip.

Just weeks ago, Humphries had spoken of the “ridiculous reason” behind the health ailment that would ultimately claim his life.

His wife Lizzie was at his side as were his daughters Emily and Tessa while his UK based sons Rupert and Oscar flew in to join them. His 10 grandchildren were also present when he passed.

In a statement the Humphries family said he died peacefully at Sydney’s St Vincent Hospital in Darlinghurst, east of the CBD.

“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.”

The Victorian government is in talks with the family of Barry Humphries about how best to pay tribute which could include the possibility of a state funeral.

“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,” Victoria’s minister for tourism, sports and major events, Steve Dimopoulos, said on Sunday.

He added a range of options are being discussed.

“The primary mover of these things is the family because it’s their gift effectively to decide in conversation with government,” he said.

“So, yes, it could be that [a state funeral]. It could be many other things to honour his legacy.

Australian icon Barry Humphries. Picture: Lachie Millard

‘Ridiculous’ health battle

Humphries had been readmitted to hospital just days after being discharged after his health “worsened”.

Entertainment reporter Peter Ford broke news of Humphries’ readmission to hospital on Seven’s Sunrise, sharing that the comic had been determined to be back on stage by the end of the year

“Barry won’t give up easily. Whether that’s a realistic goal, I don’t know … I am told that Barry’s health has worsened in the last week,” said Ford.

But his health complications due to ongoing issues from hip replacement surgery, an ordeal he’d been suffering from for several months, proved too much.

Humphries revealed in an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald last month that he’d been in “agony” since breaking his hip.

“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,” he explained, revealing he was undergoing “very painful” rehabilitation sessions.

The legend that was Dame Edna Everage

Tribute flow for Humphries

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese took to Twitter soon after the news of Humphries’ passing with a photo of Dame Edna Everage.

“For 89 years, Barry Humphries entertained us through a galaxy of personas, from Dame Edna to Sandy Stone,” he wrote.

“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.”

Global comedy superstar Ricky Gervais shared his parting thoughts on Humphries.

“Farewell, Barry Humphries, you Comedy genius.”

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. pic.twitter.com/oSAKpxPGae

— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) April 22, 2023

Farewell, Barry Humphries, you Comedy genius.

— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) April 22, 2023

Comedian Matt Lucas of Little Britain fame also paid tribute.

“I wonder if all geniuses are as lovely as Barry Humphries,” he said.

“Thank you for delighting and inspiring us. Quite simply, you were the greatest.”

Peter Ford shared his tribute to the Australian entertainment icon.

“Even though the last paragraph has been inevitable for many days, it’s still incredibly sad,” he said.

“What a brilliant mind and what a legacy. Australia will send many other more funny people into the world – but I can’t imagine any will match Barry Humphries.”

British comedian Mark Gattis, creator of The League of Gentleman series, said the world was “blessed” to have Barry Humphries.

“Staggeringly inventive and permanently fascinated. An artist, a genius and a very, very, very, VERY funny man. Goodnight, possum.”

Humphries as Dame Edna Everage in 1969.

Dame Edna in her later years.

An Australian comedy legend

Born in 1934, Humphries started his comedy career in 1953 when he was still in his teens, joining the newly-formed Melbourne Theatre Company and debuting a character that would soon become a legend in her own right: Purple-haired Melbourne housewife, Edna Everage.

A prolific actor and writer across stage, film and television, Humphries’ international career skyrocketed when he relocated to London in the 1960s.

Humphries’ film career began with the 1967 Peter Cook movie Bedazzled and continued through 1972’s The Adventures of Barry McKenzie, 1981’s Shock Treatment, 1997’s Spice World and 2003’s Finding Nemo.

Barry Humphries in 1993 as Sir Les Patterson.

But Humphries’ was arguably best known hilarious stage and television appearances as characters like Everage and Patterson. Dame Edna was chat show gold: Take this classic 2004 appearance on Michael Parkinson’s chat show, where Dame Edna has the host and fellow guests Dame Judi Dench and Sharon Osbourne eating out of the palm of her hand – all while constantly insulting all three.

While Humphries was recently beset by health problems since his hip-breaking fall, the legendary entertainer was still able to make headlines with his famous wit in recent years: A 2021 live appearance on British television sparked laughs – and controversy – when Humphries appeared to confuse the fill-in host with the show’s regular host, who had recently come out as gay. Some viewers didn’t realise Humphries was in on the joke, as he never broke his poker face while congratulating the wrong host for his bravery in coming out.

Humphries, who wed four times, is survived by his wife of 24 years, Elizabeth Spender, and four children.