Humphries' larger-than-life characters, including Dame Edna Everage and Sir Les Patterson, and his witty satire made him a beloved figure in the entertainment industry. His death marks the end of an era and he will be remembered as one of Australia's greatest performers.
April 22, 2023
May 1, 2023
Born in Kew, Victoria, Australia on February 17, 1934, Humphries was the only son of Eric Humphries and his wife, Louisa. He attended Camberwell Grammar School and the University of Melbourne, where he studied law. Humphries had a passion for performing from a young age and began his career as a writer and performer on the radio show "In Melbourne Tonight" in 1953.
Humphries' career took off in 1959 when he created the character of Edna Everage, a housewife from Moonee Ponds, Melbourne. Edna quickly became a beloved character in Australia and Humphries used her to satirize the Australian class system. In 1965, Humphries created the character of Sir Les Patterson, a bawdy, boorish diplomat who often made jokes about bodily functions.
Humphries' fame spread beyond Australia and he became a household name in the United Kingdom and the United States. He appeared on numerous television shows, including "The Muppet Show," "Saturday Night Live," and "The Late Show with David Letterman." He also starred in the film "Finding Nemo" as Bruce the shark. In 2012, he was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his services to entertainment.
Humphries was married three times and had five children. He was married to his third wife, Lizzie Spender, since 1984.
Humphries' larger-than-life characters and witty satire made him a beloved figure in the entertainment industry. His death marks the end of an era and he will be remembered as one of Australia's greatest performers.
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