At the age of 89, Australian actor and comedian Barry Humphries passed away. The performer passed away on April 22 in front of his family after spending the previous several days in the hospital due to complications from hip surgery.
Humphries was well known for his comedic creations Sir Les Patterson and Dame Edna Everage. He was recognised as one of the greatest comedians of the 20th century and performed in a number of plays, television shows and films.
Humphries fell in February of this year, necessitating hip surgery in March. He had admitted a few weeks prior that he was experiencing excruciating pain as he received physiotherapy. He passed away on Saturday in a hospital in Sydney as a result of complications after the procedure.
In a statement announcing his passing, Humphries’ family said: “He never lost his brilliant mind, his distinctive wit, or his generosity of spirit. He was totally himself till the very end. He spent more than 70 years performing on stage, touring up to the last year of his life, and scheduling further performances that, tragically, will never take place.
He never treated his audiences like a given because he valued them so highly. Although his work in theatre may be what most people associate him with, he was also a painter, author, poet, art collector, and admirer of art in all of its forms.In addition, he was a loyal and caring husband, father, grandfather, and friend to many people. Many people’s lives are left empty by his demise.
The actor first became well-known in the 1950s while participating in Melbourne’s theatre scene, where he immediately became known for his wit and humour. He created the humorous image of Dame Edna Everage in 1956, earning him his own TV show and making him a legendary figure in Australian and British society over time.
Humphries has enjoyed success as an actor in addition to his famous career as a comedian. He has been in a number of films and television programmes, such as Side by Side, The Leading Man, and The Getting of Wisdom. Throughout his career, he has won numerous honours, including the Order of Australia, the Helpmann Award, and the Tony Award.
With a tweet that said, “For 89 years, Barry Humphries entertained us through a galaxy of personas, from Dame Edna to Sandy Stone,” Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid tribute to Humphries. Barry, though, remained the galaxy’s brightest star. He was both gifted and a gift. He was a superb writer, satirist, and individual.
The television host Joan Bakewell said, “A world without Barry Humphries as a friend is terribly heartbreaking. He was so strong, active, loving, and direct, thus his loss in my life right now is really felt.