Goodbye, Possums - Barry Humphries passes away

[GusB]

So soon after the sad departure of Paul O'Grady, it has been announced that Barry Humphries, creator of the Dame Edna Everage character, has died age 89.

Barry Humphries, Australian comedian and creator of Dame Edna Everage, dies aged 89

Famed for personas that also included the vulgar Sir Les Patterson, Humphries became a household name in a seven-decade career

www.theguardian.com

Barry Humphries, the Australian comedian and actor best known for his creations Dame Edna Everage and Sir Les Patterson, has died aged 89.

In a seven-decade career spanning theatre, television, books and film, Humphries was famed for his absurdist, discomfiting and transgressive humour, poking fun at Australian culture with his cast of personas, some of which would rank among the best-loved comedic creations of all time: Dame Edna Everage, the gaudy, waspish housewife from Moonee Ponds; Sir Les Patterson, the vulgar and boozy Australian cultural attaché; the fundamentally decent and senile Sandy Stone; and archetypal Aussie bloke Barry McKenzie.

 

[yorksrob]

RIP Barry Humphries.
And RIP Dame Edna.

 

[AlterEgo]

A brilliant comic, arguably the most versatile English-language comedian of his generation. A superb wit and range of humour, the ultimate all-rounder. RIP Barry, a true genius and master of his craft.

 

[Typhoon]

I first came across him in the Barry McKenzie cartoon strip (banned in Australia, I gather).

 

[jfollows]

A very clever and funny man.
I remember when I first encountered him and thought he was trite and silly, but then I paid a bit more attention and realised he wasn't. Outrageous, deliberately, yes, but to make a point.