Summary

  • Australian entertainer Barry Humphries, best known for his comic character Dame Edna Everage, has died in Australia aged 89

  • The star had been in hospital in Sydney after suffering complications following hip surgery in March following a fall in February

  • His most famous creation became a hit in the UK in the 1970s and landed her own TV chat show, the Dame Edna Everage Experience, in the late 1980s

  • A family statement said he was completely himself until the very end, never losing his "brilliant mind, his unique wit and generosity of spirit"

  • Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also paid tribute to Humphries, saying he was a “great wit, satirist, writer and an absolute one-of-kind"

  • An author, director and scriptwriter, Humphries also voiced the shark Bruce in the film Finding Nemo and appeared in Spice World, The Hobbit and Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie

Live Reporting

Edited by Heather Sharp and Jeremy Gahagan

  1. Family remember 'unique wit' and 'loving husband and father'

    Humphries appearing as Dame Edna Everage in 1982

    A statement from Humphries family said: He was completely himself until the very end, never losing his brilliant mind, his unique wit and generosity of spirit.

    "With over 70 years on the stage, he was an entertainer to his core, touring up until the last year of his life and planning more shows that will sadly never be.

    "His audiences were precious to him, and he never took them for granted.

    "Although he may be best remembered for his work in theatre, he was a painter, author, poet, and a collector and lover of art in all its forms.

    "He was also a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and a friend and confidant to many. His passing leaves a void in so many lives.

    "The characters he created, which brought laughter to millions, will live on."

  2. Australia PM pays tribute to 'one-of-a-kind' Humphries

    Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has taken to Twitter to pay tribute to Humphries.

    He says: "For 89 years, Barry Humphries entertained us through a galaxy of personas, from Dame Edna to Sandy Stone.

    "But the brightest star in that galaxy was always Barry.

    A great wit, satirist, writer and an absolute one-of-kind, he was both gifted and a gift. May he rest in peace"

    Anthony Albanese

  3. Who was Barry Humphries?

    Barry HumphriesPA Media

    Humphries' most famous creation, Dame Edna, became a hit in the UK in the 1970s and landed her own TV chat show, the Dame Edna Everage Experience, in the late 1980s.

    His other personas included the lecherous drunk Sir Les Patterson and his other popular characters on stage and screen included the more grandfatherly Sandy Stone.

    The comic actor, author, director and scriptwriter announced a farewell tour for his satirical one-man stage show in 2012, but then returned last year with a series of shows looking back at his career.

    He also voiced the shark Bruce in 2003 Pixar animated film Finding Nemo, as well as appearing in 1967 comedy Bedazzled, Spice World, The Hobbit and Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie.

    You can read more about him here.

  4. Barry Humphries dies aged 89

    Heather Sharp
    Live reporter

    Hello and welcome as we bring you reaction to the sad news that Australian entertainer Barry Humphries - best known for his comic characher Dame Edna Everage - has died aged 89.

    The star had been in hospital in Sydney after suffering complications following hip surgery in March. He had a fall in February.

    I'm here in the newsroom in London with my colleague Jeremy Gahagan and we’ll be bringing you live updates as reaction and tributes come in. Stay with us.