Barry Humphries was simply the most original, outrageous, enduring entertainer in Australia’s history. The characters he has brought to life cannot be equalled in their ability to enlighten, amuse, abuse. Read the full obituary here:
Interviewed in 2006, Barry Humphries confessed: “If I die I hope it won’t be in Melbourne. The chief obituarist of a Melbourne morning paper takes a dim view of me, and since The Londonpioneered the custom of pissing on the recently deceased, the Melbourne obituarist is pretty likely to do the same to me.” So, fortunately, Humphries died in Australia’scity.
According to Germaine Greer, who witnessed his early theatre in Melbourne, “Barry Humphries belongs in the company of the greatest clowns, men who can laugh in the teeth of the tragedy that is human life”. He smoked and drank heavily, grew his unconventionally long hair even longer, partied late, became better acquainted with the opposite sex, and horrified his parents. When his university career ended, Humphries agreed to take a job in a record-label warehouse orchestrated by his father, but the theatre soon lured him away.
Back in Melbourne, he recorded his first Sandy Stone monologue. Sandy – a combination of his Uncle Lewis and a childhood neighbour, Mr Whittle – described once as the dullest man on earth. Other characters also emerged at this time, including Estragon in’s Australian premiere. Throwing himself ever more vigorously into Bohemia, he befriended the Blackmans, Boyds, Sunday Reed, and Clifton Pugh, who painted his portrait in 1958.
In addition to theatre and television engagements, Humphries made his cinematic debut in the Moore-Cook film– including the text for a cartoon about a clueless, cloddish Australian abroad, Barry McKenzie.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Australian comedian Barry Humphries receives overwhelming support as health battle continuesAustralian comedian and performer Barry Humphries has received fans' outpouring of love and support as he remains in hospital with serious health issues. The 89-year-old's health complications are related to his recent hip surgery, which was done following a fall in February. In a statement released by his family earlier this week, they thanked fans for their support and praised St. Vincent's Hospital's doctors, nurses and staff for their care.
Read more »
Barry Humphries, Australian comedian and creator of Dame Edna Everage, dies aged 89Famed for personas that also included the vulgar Sir Les Patterson, Humphries became a household name in a seven-decade career
Read more »
Australian comedy great Barry Humphries dies in hospital aged 89Breaking: Barry Humphries, the man responsible for some of Australia’s most loved characters including Dame Edna Everage, Sir Les Patterson and Sandy Stone, has died at age 89
Read more »
Australian comedy great Barry Humphries dies in hospital aged 89Barry Humphries, the man responsible for some of Australia’s most loved characters including Dame Edna Everage, has died at age 89.
Read more »
Barry Humphries, entertainment icon behind Dame Edna, dies aged 89For decades, the Melbourne writer, satirist and performer was inseparable from his much-loved characters. Now, all have taken their final bow.
Read more »
Vale Barry Humphries: ‘The greatest comedian since Charlie Chaplin’Through a career spanning seven decades, Barry Humphries emerged as a creative genius and one of the world’s greatest comics.
Read more »