AUSTRALIA — Australian-born Tony Award-winning comedian Barry Humphries, known internationally as Dame Edna, has died at the age of 89.
Humphries died at a hospital in Sydney, Australia, after complications from hip surgery, his family confirmed in a statement obtained by The Associated Press.
“He was completely himself until the very end, never losing his brilliant mind, his unique wit and generosity of spirit,” a family statement said obtained by the AP. “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.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of Australia released a statement on Twitter, according to The New York Times.
“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,” said Albanese.
Dame Edna was based on Humphries’ mother, according to the BBC.
Dame Edna toured globally in solo shows and was on television in places including the United States, Britain, and Australia, according to the Times. Dame Edna was created in 1966 by Humphries as Mrs. Norm Everage who was the normal Australian housewife. The newspaper said “everage” in Australia is “average.”
In the United States, Dame Edna performed multiple times on Broadway and won a Tony Award among other awards for “Dame Edna: The Royal Tour” for Humphries’ show in 1999, the Times reported. Her signature greeting was “Hellooooo, Possums!”
Humphries also voiced Bruce, the shark, in “Finding Nemo,” and made appearances in “Spice World,” “Bedazzled,” and “The Hobbit and Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie,” according to Deadline.
Humphries lived in London for decades but moved back to Australia last Christmas, according to the AP.
Humphries was married four times and leaves behind his wife, Lizzie Spender, and four children, the BBC reported.
