Barry Humphries, also known as Dame Edna Everage, has died at 89

Australian actor, comedian, and writer Barry Humphries, best known for his character Dame Edna Everage, has died aged 89.

Born on February 17, 1934 in Melbourne, Australia, Humphries started his career in the 1950s as a comedian and satirist, appearing on various radio and TV shows in Australia and the UK. He created Dame Edna in the 1950s, but it wasn’t until the 1970s that the character became hugely popular, with her own TV shows and stage performances.

Apart from Dame Edna, Humphries has also created other characters, including Sir Les Patterson, a lewd, politically incorrect politician, and Sandy Stone, a retired suburban Australian.

Humphries appeared in numerous West End stage productions including the musicals Oliver! and Maggie May. He won a WhatsOnStage Award in 2014 for his solo performance in Eat, Pray, Laugh!. His new show Barry Humphries: The Man Behind the Mask was performed last summer in London.

In addition to his entertainment career, Humphries is also a painter, and his artwork has been exhibited in galleries around the world.

Humphries had been in hospital in Sydney following complications after hip surgery in March.