Barry Humphries

Barry Humphries: biography

Barry Humphries was an Australian comedian, satirist, and actor who was best known for creating the character of Dame Edna Everage, a comedic persona who became a cultural icon both in Australia and around the world. He developed the character of Dame Edna in the 1960s, and went on to perform as her in a variety of live shows, television programs, and movies.

Childhood and youth

Barry Humphries was born on February 17, 1934, in the Melbourne suburb of Camberwell, Victoria, Australia. He was the youngest of four children and grew up in a working-class family. His father was an unsuccessful real estate agent, and his mother was a pianist and singer who performed in local musical productions.

Humphries attended Melbourne Grammar School, where he developed an interest in theater and began performing in school productions. He went on to study at the University of Melbourne, where he became involved in the Melbourne University Dramatic Club and began performing in cabaret and comedy shows.

After graduating from university, Humphries worked as a schoolteacher for a brief period before deciding to pursue a career in entertainment.

Throughout his youth, Humphries was deeply influenced by the culture of Australia and its relationship to the rest of the world. He was particularly interested in exploring the tensions between Australia's colonial past and its emerging sense of national identity, and many of his early performances and writings addressed these themes.

Comedian career

Barry Humphries' professional career as a comedian began in the 1950s, when he began performing at the University of Melbourne's "Theatre of the Absurd" and at various cabaret clubs around the city. His early performances were marked by a combination of humor, satire, and social commentary, which quickly earned him a devoted following.

In the 1960s, Humphries began to develop the character of Dame Edna Everage, a larger-than-life housewife and socialite with a distinctive bouffant hairstyle and oversized glasses. The character made her first appearance on Australian television in 1964, and quickly became a national sensation. Humphries continued to develop the character over the next several years, with Dame Edna's sharp wit and biting social commentary becoming a hallmark of her performances.

In the 1970s, Humphries moved to London, where he continued to perform as Dame Edna in a series of successful stage shows, including "A Night with Dame Edna," "The Last Night of the Poms," and "Dame Edna: The Royal Tour." The shows were marked by Dame Edna's trademark humor, irreverence, and audience interaction, which quickly won her a devoted following in the UK and beyond.

Humphries' success as a comedian and performer continued into the 1980s and 1990s, with Dame Edna becoming a fixture on television and in popular culture. Humphries also continued to develop other characters, including the alcoholic cultural attaché Sir Les Patterson, and to write and perform in a range of other comedic projects.

In recent years, Humphries continued to tour with his stage shows and to write and perform in a variety of comedic projects. Despite his long and successful career, he remained best known for his work as Dame Edna Everage, a character that became an enduring icon of Australian culture and a beloved figure in the global comedy world.

Personal life

Barry Humphries was married four times and has four children. He was first married to Brenda Wright at the age of 21. Their marriage lasted for less than two years. He then married Rosalind Tong in 1970, and they had two daughters Tessa and Emily. For the third time Barry was married to Diane Millstead with whom he had two sons - Oscar and Rupert. For the fourth time Barry was married to Elizabeth Spender from 1990 till 2023 until his death.

Humphries was open about his struggles with alcoholism and depression, which had had an impact on his personal life and career. In the 1980s, he sought treatment for his addiction and had since been sober. He was also open about his struggles with mental health, and spoke publicly about the importance of seeking help for mental health issues.

Despite these challenges, Humphries remained a prolific performer and writer throughout his career. He continued to tour with his stage shows and wrote several books, including an autobiography.

Death

On April 22, 2023, at St. Vincent's Hospital in Sydney, Barry passed away due to complications arising from his hip surgery. He was 89 years old and had previously experienced a fall in February.

Honors

Barry Humphries has received numerous honors throughout his career, recognizing his contributions to the fields of comedy, entertainment, and the arts. Some of his notable honors include:

• Order of Australia - Humphries was awarded the Order of Australia in 1982 for his services to the performing arts.
• Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) - Humphries was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 2007 New Year Honors for services to entertainment.
• Australian Logie Awards - Humphries has won several Logie Awards, including the Gold Logie in 1984 for his work on "The Barry Humphries Show" and the Hall of Fame Logie in 2000.
• Helpmann Awards - Humphries has won several Helpmann Awards, including Best Cabaret Performer in 2004 for "A Night with Dame Edna: The Royal Tour" and Best Comedy Performer in 2007 for "Back with a Vengeance."
• AACTA Awards - Humphries was honored with the Longford Lyell Award at the 2013 AACTA Awards, which recognizes outstanding contributions to the Australian screen industry.
• Hollywood Walk of Fame - Humphries was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2010 for his contributions to the entertainment industry.
• Doctor of Letters - Humphries has received honorary doctorates from several universities, including the University of Melbourne and the University of Western Australia.