Australian comedy legend John Barry Humphries faced a sudden health scare just after leaving hospital, forcing an urgent return for treatment.
The Rise of a Melbourne Icon
Born on February 17, 1934, in Melbourne, John Barry Humphries always had a flair for acting and dressing up. Despite growing up with wealthy parents, he often entertained himself, spending hours in the backyard playing with a dressing-up box.
Humphries originally studied law, philosophy, and visual arts at the University of Melbourne but dropped out early to chase his true passion: performance art. Known for bizarre antics—once even pretending to eat his own “vomit”—he carved out a unique niche in comedy.
Meet Dame Edna: The Character That Conquered the World
At just 21, Humphries created the character that shot him to worldwide fame: Mrs. Norm Everage, better known as Dame Edna. The purple-haired, cat-eye glasses-wearing diva made her stage debut in 1955 with the Melbourne Theatre Company.
Dame Edna wasn’t just a stage act; she starred in films, TV shows, and hit books, becoming a cultural icon. Humphries revealed the character was inspired by his mother, local “provincial mayoresses,” and particularly his childhood nanny, who shaped Edna’s sharp wit.
“She has proven to be indestructible and a very effective mouthpiece,” Humphries told The Guardian. “For instance, she is able to voice views on political correctness that I am unable to.”
From London Laughs to Comedy Festival Founder
In 1959, Humphries moved to London, rubbing shoulders with British comedy heavyweights like Alan Bennett, Peter Cook, Dudley Moore, and Spike Milligan. He wrote for the satirical magazine Private Eye and performed at The Establishment nightclub. Humphries also starred in West End musicals including Oliver! and Maggie May.
Back home, he co-founded the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in 1987, cementing his legacy in Australian comedy.
Controversies and Family Life
Despite his success, Humphries courted controversy. In 2018, his name was controversially removed from a festival trophy following backlash over his comments on transgender issues. He once questioned, “How many different types of restrooms can you have? And it’s very wicked when mad teachers promote it to kids.” He also called Caitlyn Jenner “a publicity-seeking ratbag” and described gender reassignment surgery as “self-mutilation” in 2016. Humphries later claimed his remarks were “grossly misinterpreted.”
Humphries is survived by his four children and his fourth wife, Lizzie Spender, whom he married in 1990. He credited the longevity of his marriage to growing wiser over time, admitting, “I’m not a very easy person to be married to, the truth be told.”
