Barry Humphries has passed away. The star of Finding Nemo and The Hobbit has passed away at the age of 89.
AP News confirms that Barry Humphries, who is best known for creating the comedic act Dame Edna Everage, died in the Sydney hospital on April 22, 2023. According to the report, Humphries' family stated that the comedian had spent several days in the hospital with complications following hip surgery.
“He was completely himself until the very end, never losing his brilliant mind, his unique wit and generosity of spirit,” a family statement said.
”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,” they added.
Humphries had previously complained about his hip which he injured during an accident last month.
“It was the most ridiculous thing like all domestic incidents are. I was reaching for a book, my foot got caught on a rug or something, and down I went,” Humphries said of his fall.
Barry Humphries was born on February 17, 1934, in the suburb of Kew in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. In the 1960s, he debuted his alter ego Dame Edna Everage, a Melbourne housewife who turned into an international phenomenon with shows like The Dame Edna Experience and The Dame Edna Treatment.
Humphries is also known for providing the voice of Bruce the Shark in Finding Nemo and playing the Great Goblin King in The Hobbit. He famously joked about the appearance of his character in the Peter Jackson film.
"It was thrilling to work on this film and when you see my extraordinary interpretation you realise why I immediately fell into the arms of Jenny Craig, and minor cosmetic surgery. I always thought motion capture was something you did when you were taking a specimen at the doctor," he said.
Barry Humphries is survived by his wife Lizzie Spender, four children and 10 grandchildren.
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