The Australian Prime Minister paid tribute to this actor “both talented and generous”. GREG WOOD / –
The Australian comedian and satirist, best known for his purple-haired commoner character, has died aged 89.
Australian comedian Barry Humphries, best known in English-speaking countries for his character Dame Edna Everage, a parody of a purple-haired woman who lives in an affluent suburb, died in Sydney on Saturday at the age of 89, according to his agent reported. .
The character of Dame Edna, a bourgeoisie who very seriously and in a bombastic manner claimed that her hair color was natural, was distinguished by glasses that were as extravagant as her clothes were showy. Australians had seen him perform on stage in Melbourne in 1955 before landing roles on television in Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom.
“Gifted and Generous”
In 2002, Dame Edna presented the show given at Buckingham Palace in honor of the Queen Elizabeth II celebrating its golden jubilee. She did the same for the closing ceremony of the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. The Australian Prime Minister paid tribute to this actor who it was “both gifted and generous”.
“He remained himself to the end and never lost his brilliant mind, unique sense of humor or generosity.”said his agent, recalling that Barry Humphries had spent more than 70 years on stage and was touring until last year.
“Barry Humphries got us laughing through a galaxy of characters, from Dame Edna to Sandy Stone”another of his characters, a stuffy old citizen, he added and referred to “a wonderful humorist, satirist, writer and someone who is absolutely unique”.
