Barry Humphries was, on the very least, one in all Australia’s best ever entertainers.
But there was at all times extra to Humphries, who – like his best character – went from the suburbs of Melbourne to the very best phases on this planet.
On Saturday night time, his household confirmed the 89-year-old died at St Vincent’s Private Hospital in Sydney, following issues from hip surgical procedure earlier this yr.
Nine Entertainment Editor Richard Wilkins mentioned the person who created Dame Edna Everage and Sir Les Patterson spent his final days doing what he did greatest – making folks chuckle.
“Apparently in hospital he was still cracking people up. He’s saying. ‘No, I’ve got this new hip. You can call me ‘bionic Bazza,’” he mentioned within the Today present’s protection of Humphries’ dying.
“That must have taken a lot of energy from him but he kept people entertained, the showman.”
Wilkins additionally shared an anecdote of bumping into Humphries on the grocery store earlier than a Boxing Day social gathering, with Wilkins inviting Humphries to the occasion.
“He was the first to arrive, and spent the whole day meeting people. And he was eternally interested in other people,” mentioned Wilkins.
“At the end he said, ‘I’m going to go now.’ I said, ‘Do you want me to get a car.’ And he said, ‘I’m getting a lift with one of those people over there.’
“That was Barry. He was just there. He made ordinary people feel special and special people feel pretty ordinarily.”
In the brief hours following his dying, politicians, celebrities and world leaders, with King Charles confirming that he’s contacting Humphries’ household. Sarah Ferguson, his sister-in-law and the Duchess of York “thanked” the comic for his work.
“Thank you dearest Barry for giving my father so much kindness and to all my family — we will miss your amazing brilliance,” she tweeted on Sunday morning.
His biographer Anne Pende in 2010 described Humphries as “not only the most significant theatrical figure of our time … [but] the most significant comedian to emerge since Charlie Chaplin.”
He was born in Melbourne on February 17, 1934, the primary baby of Eric and Louise “Lou” Humphries. Sister Barbara and brothers Christopher and Michael adopted.
He grew up within the snug, middle-class however very Fifties suburb of Camberwell, a background which impressed his absurdist comedy.
The younger Humphries attended Camberwell Grammar earlier than successful a scholarship to the University of Melbourne, the place he grew to become notorious for his pranks and Dadaist-inspired artwork and performances.
After he left Melbourne University earlier than graduating, he joined the Melbourne Theatre Company the place Mrs Norm Everage made her debut in late 1955.
The housewife from Moonee Ponds was an acerbic wit, however condescending and egotistical.
Edna Everage – who later grew to become Dame Edna – stood out with purple hair, glamorous however gaudy frocks, rhinestone glasses and gladioli.
Humphries’ different characters additionally took an absurdist purpose at Australia and Australians.
Sandy Stone “the world’s most boring man” and Sir Les Patterson, the boozy, uncouth “cultural attache” who at all times had a drink in his hand additionally had one thing to say.
Humphries gave Australia refined comedy when the nation was something however. His characters made Australians chuckle at themselves, whether or not they realised it or not.
And then he took it to the world.
He moved to London within the Nineteen Sixties, the place he grew to become mates with members of the British comedy scene together with Peter Cook and Spike Milligan.
The Brits lapped up his fashion and his comedy speak present The Dame Edna Experience the place movie star friends have been subjected to Dame Edna’s interview and arch observations.
He additionally had success within the US, successful a Tony award for his profitable stage present Dame Edna: The Royal Tour and appeared on reveals, together with the favored dramedy Ally McBeal.
Humphries was greater than a satirist and comic. He was an artist, actor, scriptwriter, creator and producer.
And his private life was simply as vibrant.
He was married 4 occasions – briefly to Brenda Wright when he was 21, then Rosalind Tong and Diane Millstead. He has been married to Lizzie Spender since 1990.
He has 4 kids – daughters Tessa and Emily and sons Oscar and Rupert from his second and third marriages.
He was an alcoholic early in his profession, however was sober for the reason that early Nineteen Seventies.
In 2019, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival stripped his identify from its main award after a furore over feedback Humphries made about transgender being a “fashion” the yr earlier than.
Although Humphries did his farewell tour in 2013, he reportedly was planning a comeback.
“I have to get back on my feet … I’m going back on tour later this year. The result of my broken hip means I now have a titanium hip … you can call me ‘Bionic Bazza’,” he advised the Sydney Morning Herald in late March.
Humphries had been dwelling in London along with his spouse Lizzie for the previous 40 years, however was holidaying in Sydney throughout summer season when he broke his hip in a really suburban means.
“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 advised the SMH.
His sons Oscar and Rupert reportedly travelled from London to be by his aspect alongside along with his daughter, Emily, who he was estranged from for 20 years.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese mentioned Australia liked his characters however “the brightest star in the 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.”
His dying made headlines worldwide.
The New York Times remembered him as “a master improviser (many of Dame Edna’s most stinging barbs were ad libbed) with a face like taffy.”
“Humphries was widely esteemed as one of the world’s foremost theatrical clowns.”
At the very least, he was Australia’s best clow.
Source: www.news.com.au
