FAREWELL, POSSUMS!
FEBRUARY 17, 1934 – APRIL 22, 2023
DAME Edna Everage creator Barry Humphries died yesterday, aged 89, leading to an outpouring of tributes from fellow comedians, politicians and the King.
The actor, writer and painter died peacefully at a Sydney hospital after suffering complications following hip surgery last month. He had suffered a fall at home in February.
King Charles said he was “saddened” by the death of the actor, who played the Melbourne housewife who greeted his audiences with “Hello, Possums!” for more than 60 years.
He appeared on stage and TV, including Royal Variety shows, most notably in 2013 when he surprised the then-prince
Charles and Camilla by sitting next to them in the royal box, before telling them: “They’ve found me a better seat.”
Arguably Australia’s greatest comedy export, he also played the country’s slobbish cultural attache Sir
Les Patterson, inset, and
Sandy Stone, an elderly, childless man.
A statement from his family said: “He was completely himself until the very end, never losing his brilliant mind, his unique wit and generosity of spirit.” He is survived by fourth wife Lizzie, children Tessa, Emily, Oscar and Rupert, and 10 grandchildren.
Anthony Albanese, Australia’s Prime Minister, said: “A great wit, satirist, writer and an absolute one-of-kind, he was both gifted and a gift.”
Former PM Boris Johnson said: “One of the greatest ever Australians and a comic genius who used his exuberant alter egos,
Dame Edna Everage and Sir Les Patterson, to say the otherwise unsayable.”
Impressionist Rory Bremner said we have lost “an all-time great”.
John Barry Humphries was born on February 17,
Barry (and Edna)’s best jokes
“Sex is the most beautiful thing that can take place between a happily married man and his secretary.”
“My mother used to say that there are no strangers, only friends you haven’t met yet. She’s now in a maximum security twilight home in Australia.”
“I’m trying to think of a word to describe your outfit... affordable.”
“I was born with a priceless gift – the ability to laugh at the misfortunes of others.”
“This double chin was grafted on to me, in Brazil. It belonged to Elizabeth
Taylor. It was her left love handle.”
“I’m an immensely shy and vulnerable woman. My husband has never seen me naked. Nor has he expressed the least desire to do so.”
1934 in Kew, a suburb of Melbourne.
He attended Melbourne University where he began in revues, doing impersonations. He moved to London in 1959 and began his professional performing career in Peter
Cook’s Establishment nightclub and on the
West End stage in shows such as Maggie
May and Oliver!
Speaking in 2009, about his future obituary, he quipped: “I really would like an opportunity to write it myself.”
He added: “It would just say what a very nice person I am and what a generous hearted and sentimental person I am.”