By Steve Hopkins
“Farewell, Barry Humphries, you comedy genius.”
Barry Humphries, who played Dame Edna Everage, has died at the age of 89.
The Australian comedian had been readmitted to hospital days after being discharged from surgery due to complications.
Humphries tripped on a rug while reaching for a book in February and was taken to St Vincent’s Hospital in Darlinghurst, New South Wales, for a hip replacement.
Humphries played the beloved Dame Edna on TV and stage for over 60 years, who was famed for the greeting: “Hello possums!”
He also played Sir Les Patterson, an unkempt, uncultured character, known for holding multiple fictional diplomatic positions such as cultural attaché to the Far East and minister for the yartz (arts).
Tributes have begun to pour in for the veteran comedian.
Sharing a picture of the two together, Rob Brydon wrote: “RIP Barry Humphries. A true great who inspired me immeasurably. It was a delight to call him my friend.
“I’ve been in Australia and was with him only three days ago. He was, as ever, making me laugh. His talent shone until the very end.
“My love goes out to [his wife] Lizzie and all the family.”
RIP Barry Humphries. A true great who inspired me immeasurably. It was a delight to call him my friend.
I've been in Australia and was with him only 3 days ago. He was, as ever, making me laugh. His talent shone until the very end.
My love goes out to Lizzie and all the family. pic.twitter.com/G5aJfLiVkK— Rob Brydon (@RobBrydon) April 22, 2023
Ricky Gervais also wrote: “Farewell, Barry Humphries, you comedy genius,” while Dara Ó Briain said: “RIP Barry Humphries, one of the absolute funniest people ever. A huge life, lived long and well. He will be missed.”
Farewell, Barry Humphries, you Comedy genius.
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) April 22, 2023
RIP Barry Humphries, one of the absolute funniest people ever. A huge life, lived long and well. He will be missed.
— Dara Ó Briain (@daraobriain) April 22, 2023
You can read more tributes to Humphries below:
RIP Barry Humphries
Legend pic.twitter.com/z8GNWhHFSd— Andrew Maxwell (@andrewismaxwell) April 22, 2023
Thinking of Barry Humphries today, and especially remembering thispic.twitter.com/s1tcgVv78l
— Jeremy Vine (@theJeremyVine) April 19, 2023
I wonder if all geniuses are as lovely as Barry Humphries. Thank you for delighting and inspiring us. Quite simply, you were the greatest. pic.twitter.com/86scyP449b
— Matt Lucas HQ (@RealMattLucas) April 22, 2023
Barry Humphries was a genius. He was always so funny, so sly and so terrifying. A brilliant comic mind. We have lost a legend. RIP.
— Reece Shearsmith (@ReeceShearsmith) April 22, 2023
RIP #barryhumphries Only met him a few times and concluded he just couldn’t help being very funny. And charming. pic.twitter.com/KJDtaxHtrj
— Sanjeev Bhaskar💙 (@TVSanjeev) April 22, 2023
