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‘Both gifted and a gift’: Nation’s leaders mourn Barry Humphries

Anthony Albanese, Peter Dutton and the entertainment world join in praise of Barry Humphries after news of the legendary performer’s passing.

Patrick Lawnham
5 min read
11:04PMApril 22, 2023.
Updated 6:15AMApril 23, 2023
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Barry Humphries at a gala night in London in 2017. Picture: Bonnie Britain/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
Barry Humphries at a gala night in London in 2017. Picture: Bonnie Britain/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton joined in praise of Barry Humphries after news on Saturday night of the performer’s passing aged 89, as tributes came from the entertainment world.

Barry Humphries, Australia’s most famous comedian and satirist, died on Saturday night at St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney after a long illness. He was 89.

His family had gathered from around the world to be at his bedside these last few days.

He is reported to have fallen and broken his hip earlier this year. Complications set in and his condition worsened this week at the end of which he was said to be unresponsive.

King Charles III has been described as “saddened” by Humphries’ death. A spokeswoman for the King told News Corp: “His Majesty is writing privately to Mr Humphries’ family as we speak.”

The Prime Minister posted on Twitter: “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,’’ Mr Albanese said. “A great wit, satirist, writer and an absolute one-of-kind, he was both gifted and a gift. May he rest in peace.’’

The Opposition Leader tweeted “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.

“He will forever be a treasured Australian icon,’’ Mr Dutton said.

Rupert Murdoch, the executive chairman of News Corporation, said on the passing of his cherished friend: “In whatever guise, Barry was a genuine genius. His works, his creations, his spirit will echo across the generations and his friendship is eternal”.

The Associated Press of America broke the news on Twitter with these words:

“Tony Award-winning comedian Barry Humphries, internationally renowned for his garish stage persona Dame Edna Everage, a condescending snob whose evolving character has delighted audiences over seven decades, has died.’’

English comedian Ricky Gervais said “farewell, Barry Humphries, you comedy genius’’.

Iconic Australian entertainer Barry Humphries dead at 89

State premiers lauded Humphries soon after the announemtn of his death.

Victoria’s Daniel Andrews tweeted: “Tonight we lost a legend. Barry Humphries has contributed more than seven decades to Australia’s entertainment industry.

“And his legacy will live on through his many larger-than-life characters and iconic writing.’’

Queensland’s Annastacia Palaszczuk also posted on Twitter: “Very saddened to hear of the passing of Australian entertainment legend Barry Humphries. My deepest sympathies to his family and friends.’’

NSW’s Chris Minns tweeted: “Barry and his alter ego Dame Edna Everage set the world’s stages and screens alight. The all-time most successful solo theatrical performer, anywhere in the world - Barry was a legend. Defining Aussie creativity and performance for generations. Vale Barry Humphries.’’

Barry Humphries' best moments

Humphries’ family said in a statement on Saturday night: “​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 theatre, he was a painter, author, poet, and a collector and lover of ​a​​​​rt 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.”

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 [magazine] contributor. What a loss,” he said.

Welsh actor and comedian Rob Brydon said of Humphries: “A true great who inspired me immeasurably. It was a delight to call him my friend. I’ve been in Australia and was with him only 3 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.’’

Australian author Kathy Lette tweeted: “Farewell to my favourite person. Heartbroken. RIP dearest darling.’’

Television presenter Piers Morgan said: “RIP Barry Humphries, 89. 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.’’

Actor Jason Donovan said Australia had “lost one of its greatest”. Humphries was “quite simply an entertaining genius”, he tweeted. “The characters he created brought laughter to millions... My thoughts are with family on this sad day!”, he said.

TV presenter, former editor and chairman of Spectator Magazine UK, Andrew Neil, tweeted: “So sad to learn Barry Humphries has passed away. 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. Funny, hugely literate, fiercely smart.’’

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.”

Comedian and author David Walliams tweeted: “Seeing Barry Humphries live was like being struck by a thunderbolt. I had never laughed so much in my life. That anyone could be so hilarious was magic. Off-stage he was elegant & sophisticated but just as funny as Dame Edna. A lethal wit, fast & fearless he was the greatest.’’

In 2008 Humphries said the person he most admired in the world was the then Prince Charles because “he does a great deal of good work without anyone knowing about it.”

In 2019, the bespectacled star rocked up in the royal box at the Variety performance at the London Palladium theatre beside the then Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, looked at their ticket and said: “I’m sorry they’ve found me a better seat.”

Gold Logie winner Barry Crocker recalled the “genius” of Barry Humphries, who he starred alongside in the classic ocker film The Adventures of Barry McKenzie, describing him as “fearless.”

Humphries co-wrote the script and appeared in the film, which was based on the Barry McKenzie comic strip he created for the magazine Private Eye in the 1960s.

“He was fearless, Humphries, and I admired that so much about him, totally fearless,” Crocker said.

“He had this genius, this little person in the air that came to him, and he would say the most outrageous things that were hysterically funny.

“It was magic. Every person who has ever played a comic role would love to have that genie, that genius, up there helping them.

“To have been in the presence of the genius that was Barry Humphries was so very special and a great learning curve for me.’’

The serious side of Barry Humphries in a discussion with Elizabeth Taylor in Los Angeles in 1991. Picture: Supplied
The serious side of Barry Humphries in a discussion with Elizabeth Taylor in Los Angeles in 1991. Picture: Supplied

Former talk show host Sir Michael Parkinson paid an affectionate tribute to Humphries, the BBC reported.

Parkinson said: “I have lost a dear friend of many years.

“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.”

And a clip with the Spice Girls:

Read related topics:Anthony AlbanesePeter Dutton

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Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/both-gifted-and-a-gift-nations-leaders-mourn-barry-humphries/news-story/dd45ac2bc758a55467755528b6209dfd