Famed Australian comedian/actor/writer Barry Humphries, best known for his comedic character Dame Edna Everage, has died aged 89.
Humphries suffered complications following hip surgery last month and had been in a Sydney hospital in the last few days feeling unwell.
The legendary comedian had been professionally active since the 1950s – in his time, he was an author, scriptwriter, film producer, West End musical legend, TV show host, landscape painter and more.
From the late 1960s Humphries appeared in numerous films in supporting or cameo roles, including the original “Bedazzled,” “Shock Treatment,” “Immortal Beloved,” Pixar’s “Finding Nemo,” “Nicholas Nickleby,” “Spidce World,” “Mary and Max,” “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” and more.
He authored many books, including multiple autobiographies, novels, comedy writings, and stage plays, along with conducting many famed one-man stage shows.
Though he created several characters, including Sir Les Patterson and Sandy Stone, by far, he was best known for his Dame Edna Everage character which he played over four decades.
The lilac-haired housewife from Moonee Ponds turned gaudily dressed, egomaniacal megastar famous for satirising celebrities to their face – her chat show appearances both on her own show and others were filled with smiling roasts of the guests.
Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese paid his respects for Humphries passing, saying it was the loss of “a great wit, satirist, writer and an absolute one-of-kind, he was both gifted and a gift.”
Source: BBC
