Australian comedian and actor, Barry Humphries, has passed away in Sydney at the age of 89 (AP News). Humphries was best known for his iconic character creation, Dame Edna Everage, a garishly dressed and heavily bejeweled character who first made her debut in the mid-1950s (The New York Times). Dame Edna Everage was a condescending snob whose character evolved over time, ultimately becoming one of the longest-running characters ever channeled by a single performer (AP News).
Humphries received worldwide attention and praise for his character creations, particularly Dame Edna, and her alter-ego, Sir Les Patterson (Variety). In addition to performing on stage and TV, Humphries also voiced the character Bruce in the animated film, ‘Finding Nemo’ (WDW News Today).
Born in Melbourne in 1934, Humphries began his career as a cartoonist but ultimately found his calling in performing. He studied at the University of Melbourne and subsequently joined the Melbourne Theatre Company before venturing to London in the 1960s. In London, Humphries quickly made a name for himself with his iconic character creations (The Advocate).
Humphries was awarded the CBE in 2007 for his services to entertainment, and in 2012, he was given a special Tony award for his contributions to the theater (NPR). Humphries was beloved by many, and his passing is mourned by fans around the world.
Barry Humphries will be remembered as a comedic genius whose unique and outrageous characters brought joy to millions (People.com). His contributions to the entertainment industry will not be forgotten, and his legacy will live on through his unforgettable characters and performances.
