Australian entertainer Barry Humphries enjoyed a seven-decade career on stage and screen, delighting generations with satirical characters including Dame Edna Everage and Sir Les Patterson.
Humphries became a staple of the British comedy circuit after moving from Australia to London in 1959 and appearing in West End shows such as Maggie May and Oliver!
Pictured in 1966 as part of the BBC’s new satirical programme The Late Show featuring (l-r) John Bird, Anthony Holland, Eleanor Bron, Barry Humphries, Andrew Duncan and John Wells (PA)Dame Edna Everage is nowhere in sight as her creator, 45, kisses his wife, 30-year-old artist Diane Millstead, after their marriage had been blessed at St James’s Church, Piccadilly, in 1979 (PA)Dressed as Australian cultural attache Sir Les Patterson with British politician Denis Healey and former James Bond star Roger Moore (PA)Dame Edna Everage makes her customary low-key launch for a TV show in 1989 with her bridesmaid Madge Allsop impersonating a sleeping policeman (PA)
Originally a drab Melbourne housewife satirising Australian suburbia, Dame Edna evolved into an increasingly boisterous and eccentric character, with “wisteria hue” hair and cat-eye glasses.
Dame Edna was Humphries’ most memorable character (Sean Dempsey/PA)Dishevelled Australian cultural attache Sir Les Patterson was also a popular character (Johnny Patterson/PA)In character as Dame Edna Everage at the announcement of the Barry Humphries’ Farewell Tour in 2013 (PA)
Humphries was a mainstay of royal performances and was made a CBE by Queen Elizabeth II in 2007.
Greeting Queen Elizabeth II in 1977 at Windsor for a gala variety performance in aid of the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Appeal (PA)Meeting Diana, Princess of Wales in 1987 (PA)Humphries raises a smile from William, now the Prince of Wales, backstage at the Prince’s Trust 30th birthday concert at the Tower of London in 2006 (PA)Humphries being made a Commander of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace in 2007, for services to entertainment (PA)Camilla shares a word in 2021 as they attend The Oldie of the Year Awards at the Savoy Hotel (PA)
In March 2012, Humphries announced his retirement from live entertainment, saying he was “beginning to feel a bit senior”, but promised an extensive farewell tour, which was later extended.
With Sir Elton John in 1991 (PA)With Joan Collins in 2008 (PA)He returned to a role he had played 30 years ago – Fagin – in the West End musical production Oliver! in 1997 (PA)Barry Humphries died in Sydney on April 22 at the age of 89 (PA)
Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.
Keep up-to-date with important news from your community, and access exclusive, subscriber only content online.
Read a copy of your favourite newspaper on any device via the HNM App.
