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Tributes pour in from around the world for Barry Humphries

The King is among the mourners as politicians and stars around the world pay tribute to Barry Humphries.

Benedict BrookBenedict Brook
@BenedictBrook
4 min read
April 23, 2023 - 5:37AM
Aussie comedy legend Barry Humphries dies, aged 89

King Charles III has paid tribute to the late Barry Humphries and has been left “saddened” by the showman’s death.

A royal family spokesman told News Corporation: “His Majesty is writing privately to Mr Humphries’ family as we speak.”

News of the death of the man that created Dame Edna Everage has hit Australia and the UK hard.

Both sides of Australian politics have paid tribute to the star, as have entertainers from across the globe and even a former British PM.

But one of the most touching messages came from staff on the London Underground who have shared an epic homage to the “phenomenal talent from Australia”.

The legendary comedian, whose personas included Dame Edna Everage and Sir Les Patterson, died on Saturday night at Sydney’s St Vincent Hospital in Darlinghurst. He was 89.

“He was completely himself until the very end, never losing his brilliant mind, his unique wit and generosity of spirit,” the Humphries family said in a statement after he passed.

“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.

“His passing leaves a void in so many lives.”

Barry Humphries speaks in 2021 at London's’ s Oldie Of The Year Awards 2021 at The Savoy Hotel. (Photo by CHRIS JACKSON / POOL / AFP)
Barry Humphries speaks in 2021 at London's’ s Oldie Of The Year Awards 2021 at The Savoy Hotel. (Photo by CHRIS JACKSON / POOL / AFP)

Two prime ministres’ tributes

Humphries had been suffering from complications resulting from hip replacement surgery.

That stemmed from a fall he had at his home which he said was “the most ridiculous thing” when he was reaching for a book.

One of the first tributes came in from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

He posted an image of Dame Edna.

“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.”

Opposition leader Peter Dutton said Humphries was an “Australian icon”.

“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. “

Dame Edna first became a hit in Britain in the 1970s. British PM Boris Johnson said Humphries’ death was a loss.

“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.”

Touching message from Londoners

Staff on the London Underground tweeted an epic tribute rhyming tribute to Humphries as part of the “All on the Board” initiative which shares messages and witticisms with passengers on white boards at Tube stations.

‘A phenomenal talent from Australia and truly one of a kind.

“A mischievous comedy genius with a quick witted mind.

“Dame Edna was a delightful diva with spectacular spectacles that could rival any of Elton John’s glasses.

“On stage and screen as Edna, Sir Les, Sandy Stone or Barry, your star was mega and shone bright.

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

Comedian Shaun Micallef said of Humphries “No one made me laugh as much or for so many years”.

While TV presenter, producer and comedian Rove McManus commented Humphries “had left an indelible legacy on the history of Australian comedy”.

All on the Board is an initiative of London Underground staff. (Photo by Peter Summers/Getty Images)
All on the Board is an initiative of London Underground staff. (Photo by Peter Summers/Getty Images)

Talk show host Michael Parkinson said Humphries was one of his favourite guests.

“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.”

Barry Humphries, dressed as his alter ego, Dame Edna Everage. (Photo by Greg WOOD / POOL / AFP)
Barry Humphries, dressed as his alter ego, Dame Edna Everage. (Photo by Greg WOOD / POOL / AFP)

Global comedy star Ricky Gervais shared his parting thoughts: “Farewell, Barry Humphries, you Comedy genius.”

Jason Donovan said Australia had “lost one of its greatest”.

“The characters he created brought laughter to millions … My thoughts are with family on this sad day.”

Comedian Adam Hills said “appropriately, he took his final bow on a Saturday night”.

“He was nothing but an utter gentleman to me, and occasionally a Dame”.

Barry Humphries speaks to the then Prince Charles, as he attends the Royal Variety Performance at the London Palladium Theatre in 2013. (Photo by ARTHUR EDWARDS / POOL / AFP)
Barry Humphries speaks to the then Prince Charles, as he attends the Royal Variety Performance at the London Palladium Theatre in 2013. (Photo by ARTHUR EDWARDS / POOL / AFP)

‘Quite simply, you were the greatest’

British journalist Andrew Neil said he had seen Humphries just two weeks before he died.

“When I visited him in his Sydney Hospital two weeks ago he was ailing from several health problems. But his spirits and wit were as acute as ever.

“We laughed away as the stories poured out.”

Another Brit, comedian Rob Brydon, had seen Humphries even, more recently – just three days ago.

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

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.”

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.”

Entertainment reporter Peter Ford, who broke the news that Humphries was ailing, shared his tribute.

“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.”

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

“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.

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Pic shows Barry’s kind act before death
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Moment Humphries had Charles in stitches
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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”.

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