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Dame Edna Creator Barry Humphries Dies At Age 89
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Barry Humphries, the Tony Award-winning comedian, and creator of the iconic character Dame Edna Everage, has passed away at the age of 89.
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Humphries died following complications from hip surgery, which he underwent in Sydney.
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Despite living in London for decades, Humphries returned to his native Australia last December for Christmas.
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Humphries revealed in an interview with The Sydney Morning Herald last month that his physiotherapy following the surgery had been "agony."
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The character of Dame Edna started off as a dowdy Mrs. Norm Everage, before evolving into the garish and snobbish persona that delighted audiences for seven decades.
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Humphries had a number of other enduring characters, including the drunken and lecherous Sir Les Patterson.
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Humphries found major success as an actor, writer, and entertainer in Britain during the 1970s.
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Despite his success in Britain, Humphries struggled to find similar recognition in the United States.
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However, he did win a Tony Award in 2000 for his Broadway show "Dame Edna: The Royal Tour."
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Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid tribute to Humphries, calling him a "great wit, satirist, writer and an absolute one-of-kind."
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British comedian Ricky Gervais also paid tribute to Humphries, calling him a "comedy genius."
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Piers Morgan described Humphries as "one of the funniest people I've ever met."
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Humphries was married four times and is survived by his wife Lizzie Spender and four children.
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Humphries' characters were known for their biting satire and social commentary.
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He often used his characters to criticize Australian culture and politics, as well as the wider Western world.
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Humphries was known for his sharp wit and quick thinking, which made him a beloved figure in the entertainment industry.
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Despite his success, Humphries remained humble and always grateful to his fans.
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He once said, "I'm just a clown, and I'm grateful for the laughs."
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Humphries' legacy will continue to live on through his iconic characters, which have become an indelible part of popular culture.
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He will be remembered as one of the greatest comedians of his generation, whose influence and impact on the world of comedy will be felt for generations to come.