Australian comedian and writer Barry Humphries, best known for his theatrical and television personas Sir Les Patterson and Dame Edna Everage, passed away at age 89.
Humphries had been battling health issues that caused him “agony” and required hospitalization.
Humphries was born John Barry Humphries and was not only a comedian but also a writer, landscape painter, film producer, and scriptwriter.
He even starred in London’s West End musical theatre.
His outrageous stage presence earned him worldwide recognition and even a Tony Award.
Barry Humphries’ Death and Cause
Humphries passed away from complications following hip surgery.
The legendary comedian died on Saturday at St Vincent’s hospital in Sydney.
The personas of Dame Edna Everage and Sir Les Patterson were his most recognizable and beloved characters.
According to reports, Humphries was discovered “unresponsive” in a hospital on Thursday night.
He had been hospitalized for several days with complications after hip surgery.
Humphries’ family rushed to his bedside despite conflicting reports about his condition.
Humphries’ Health Condition and Illness
Humphries’ health began to deteriorate after his hip replacement operation, which caused him to be hospitalized in critical condition.
His sons and daughter traveled from London to be by his side, despite having been estranged from his daughter for 20 years.
Humphries had been hospitalized since February after injuring his hip in a fall in his Sydney flat.
He believed he would be back on his feet soon and planned to travel the nation.
Barry Humphries’ Family
Humphries was married four times and had a contentious divorce from his third wife.
His first marriage to Brenda Wright lasted less than two years.
From his second and third marriages to Rosalind Tong and Diane Millstead, he had two daughters, Tessa and Emily, and two sons, Oscar and Rupert.
His eldest son Oscar worked as an editor at The Spectator and as the editor of the art publication Apollo.
He is currently a curator of art.
Elizabeth “Lizzie” Spender, his fourth wife from 1990 until his passing in 2023, was formerly an actress and the child of Natasha Spender, a concert pianist, and British poet Sir Stephen Spender.
They resided in a terraced townhouse in West Hampstead for forty years.
Barry Humphries’ passing marks the loss of an icon in the world of comedy and entertainment.
His beloved characters and outrageous stage presence will be remembered and missed by many.