“I was born with a priceless gift, the ability to laugh at the misfortunes of others.”
“Australia is an outdoor country. People only go inside to use the toilet, and that’s a recent development.”,
Above quotes from the great stand-up and now late comedian, John Barry Humphries (1934-2023).
Television viewers here in Co. Tipperary and indeed far beyond, will be greatly saddened by the news of the death of Australian comedian, actor, author and satirist, Mr John Barry Humphries [Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) & Order of Australia (AO)], who passed away today, aged 89 years.
Mr Humphries was best known for writing and playing his on-stage and television alter egos of Dame Edna Everage and Sir Les Patterson.
Although best known to his audiences for his delivery of deliberate irrationality and absurdist humour, Mr Humphries was also a film producer; script writer; a star of London’s West End musical theatre; a writer and a landscape painter.
His alter egos of the lilac-rinsed haired Dame Edna Everage evolved over a forty year period, latter to become a satire of stardom; while his portrayal of an inebriated, boorish, loud-mouthed, uncouth and uncultured, ‘cultural attaché to the Far East’, in the character of Sir Les Patterson, over the past 30 years became a regular feature in his solo theatrical appearances, both in Australia and the United Kingdom.
Having entertained on stage and screen for over 70 years, we understand that Mr Humphries tripped on a rug, while reaching for a book, back in February, latter resulting in him requiring surgery at St Vincent’s Hospital, Melbourne, Australia. He had been readmitted to hospital just this week, yet despite his accident, he had fully expected to be back and fighting fit within weeks, but sadly he never recovered.
His passing means the loss of one of our all-time great stand-up comedians.
Oíche mhaith, possum – In ár gcroíthe go deo.
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