Barry Humphries Biography, Death, Net Worth, Age, Family, Wife, Children
John Barry Humphries, a renowned figure from Australia, was a multifaceted talent known for his roles as a comedian, actor, author, and painter.
Born on February 17, 1934, he brought joy to many through his humorous characters. Humphries, famous for portraying Dame Edna Everage and Sir Les Patterson, passed away in April 2023 at the age of 89.
A state memorial service in his honor took place at the Sydney Opera House, attracting tributes from notable personalities such as Elton John, Rupert Murdoch, and King Charles III. The service paid homage to the Australian comedian’s impactful career.
Additionally, ITV released a Christmas special titled “Barry Humphries: The Last Laugh,” dedicated to the beloved character Dame Edna Everage. The special has gained widespread attention and tributes globally.
Dame Edna Everage, initially a caricature of an Australian housewife, is famous for her vibrant attire and witty sarcasm. Barry Humphries’ legacy lives on through these iconic characters, leaving a lasting impact on the world of entertainment.
Sir Les Patterson is a rude and drunk character who thinks he is very important. Humphries has also created other funny characters. He has been in many movies, TV shows, and stage productions. Anne Pender, who wrote his biography, said he is one of the most important comedians in the world.
Barry Humphries Biography
John Barry Humphries is a famous Australian actor, author, artist, comedian, and satirist, born on February 17, 1934, in Melbourne, Victoria. He is well known for creating hilarious characters, such as Dame Edna Everage, Sir Les Patterson, and Sandy Stone.
Dame Edna Everage is a funny character that started as a caricature of an Australian housewife, while Sir Les Patterson is a rude and drunk character who thinks he is very important. Sandy Stone, on the other hand, is a gentle grandfather figure.
Humphries has been entertaining people since 1953 and has performed in movies, TV shows, and stage productions. John Humphries has been married four times and has four children, including Tessa and Oscar. Despite his success as a comedian, Humphries is also a talented artist and author.
Personal Life
Barry Humphries is an Australian comedian who has been married four times. ((en.wikipedia.org)) He has two daughters and two sons from his second, third and fourth marriages. Humphries struggled with alcoholism in the 1960s, but after a serious incident, he stopped drinking completely.
Barry Humphries is a lover of the arts, music and literature. He has a large collection of books, including rare first editions. He is also a landscape painter and art collector.
Barry is a patron of the Melba Foundation in Australia and a supporter of the Tait Memorial Trust in London. He has been criticised for making comments about transgender people that some people consider offensive.
Family Background and Early Life
John Barry Humphries’s father was a construction manager, and his mother was a homemaker. Barry Humphries grew up in a comfortable and modern home in one of Melbourne’s garden suburbs.
As a child, he enjoyed playing dress-up and entertaining people, and he found that making people laugh was a great way to befriend them.
Humphries’ parents nicknamed him “Sunny Sam,” and he had a happy childhood until his teenage years when he began to rebel against the traditional suburban life.
He became interested in the arts, which his parents did not approve of. At the age of nine, Humphries’ mother gave away all his books, which led him to become an avid reader and collector of rare books.
Barry Humphries also developed a love for theatre and surrealism. He created his first character, “Dr Aaron Azimuth,” at a young age, and enjoyed dressing up in a black cloak, black homburg, and mascaraed eyes. This character was a dandy, agent provocateur, and Dadaist.
Education Background
John Barry Humphries went to two schools in Australia, Camberwell Grammar School and Melbourne Grammar School. At Melbourne Grammar School, he did well in English and Art but didn’t like sports or math. He went to the University of Melbourne for two years but didn’t finish.
While at the University of Melbourne, he was part of the Melbourne University Regiment and served in the Australian Army for a period of National Service. He became known for his involvement in the Dadaist art movement, which involves creating things that are absurd and meaningless.
Humphries and his friends made a lot of funny and strange things, like a pair of boots filled with custard and a pesticide that was supposed to be used against a protected animal in Australia. They also made recordings of experimental music, which is now considered some of the earliest examples of this type of music in Australia.
Career
After completing his education at the University of Melbourne, John Barry Humphries began his career in the arts in Australia. He wrote and performed in various stage productions and comedy acts, often portraying eccentric and humorous characters. Humphries’ talent caught the attention of producers in London, and he moved there in the late 1950s to pursue his career.
1960s and 1970s
In the 1960s and 1970s, Barry Humphries’ career began to take off. He performed in various stage productions in London, including the musical “Oliver!” in which he played the role of Mr. Sowerberry.
He also appeared in several films, including “The Bliss of Mrs. Blossom” and “The Wrong Box.” Humphries’ unique and eccentric characters became increasingly popular, and he began to perform in one-man shows across the UK.
Film Roles
In addition to his stage work, Barry Humphries appeared in several films throughout his career. Some of his notable film roles include the character Fagg in “The Bliss of Mrs. Blossom” and Uncle Kevin in “The Getting of Wisdom.”
One-Man Shows
Humphries’ one-man shows were a huge success in the UK and Australia. He created and performed as his most popular characters, including Dame Edna Everage, Sir Les Patterson, and Sandy Stone. These shows often included humor, satire, and audience interaction.
Farewell Tour
In 2012, Humphries embarked on a farewell tour of Australia and the UK. The tour included performances of his most famous characters and was a chance for him to say goodbye to his fans.
Weimar Cabaret
In 2016, Humphries created and starred in “Weimar Cabaret,” a musical revue inspired by the songs of the Weimar Republic. The show was a departure from his usual comedic characters and showcased his talent as a performer and musician.
Dame Edna, Sir Les Patterson, and Sandy Stone
Barry Humphries’ most famous characters are Dame Edna Everage, Sir Les Patterson, and Sandy Stone. Dame Edna is a flamboyant and opinionated character who has become a cultural icon. Sir Les Patterson is a crude and vulgar character who often appears drunk. Sandy Stone, on the other hand, is a gentle and sentimental grandfather figure.
Television Roles
Throughout his career, Humphries also appeared in various television shows. Some of his notable roles include hosting his own talk show, “The Dame Edna Experience,” and playing the role of Kenny Everett’s father in the comedy series “The Kenny Everett Television Show.”
Success in the United States
Humphries’ unique brand of humor and his eccentric characters have been well-received in the United States. He has performed on Broadway and has made numerous appearances on American television shows, including “The Late Show with David Letterman” and “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.”
Wife and Children
Humphries has been married four times ((smoothradio.com)) and has four children, including Tessa and Oscar from his first marriage, and Emily and Rupert from his second marriage. His first marriage was to Brenda Wright, and his second marriage was to Rosalind Tong. He then married Lizzie Spender in 1990 and divorced in 2013.
In 2016, he married his fourth wife, Livia Giuggioli. Humphries has been open about his bisexuality and has had relationships with both men and women, including Australian playwright Barry Humphries, English actor Terence Stamp, and Australian actress Jane Menelaus.
Despite his personal life, Humphries is best known for his comedic creations, particularly his character “Dame Edna Everage”. He has received international acclaim for his work and has been awarded numerous accolades, including a CBE in 2007.
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Filmography
- 1967: The Naked Bunyip
- 1972: The Adventures of Barry McKenzie
- 1974: Barry McKenzie Holds His Own
- 1981: Shock Treatment
- 1994: The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
- 2002: Nicholas Nickleby
- 2012: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
Bibliography
- 1967: Barry McKenzie Holds His Own (novel)
- 1979: The Life and Death of Sandy Stone (novel)
- 1982: Women in the Background (memoir)
- 1988: More Please (memoir)
- 1992: Passing Clouds: A Winemakers Journey (memoir)
- 2002: My Life as Me: A Memoir
- 2010: Barry Humphries’ Flashbacks (autobiography)
Discography
- 1960: Wildlife in Suburbia
- 1961: Barry Humphries at Carnegie Hall
- 1978: A Nice Night’s Entertainment
Biographical Studies
- 1987: Barry Humphries: A Portrait
- 2010: Handling Edna: The Unauthorised Biography
Fictional Characters
- Dame Edna Everage
- Sir Les Patterson
- Sandy Stone
Awards and Honours
- 1982: Officer of the Order of Australia
- 1994: Australian of the Year
- 2000: Knight Bachelor
- 2003: Commander of the Order of the British Empire
- 2007: The Comedy Awards Lifetime Achievement
- 2012: Helpmann Award for Best Cabaret Performer
Source: whoiswriter.com
