Australian entertainer Barry Humphries enjoyed a seven-decade career on stage and screen, delighting generations with satirical characters including Dame Edna Everage and Sir Les Patterson.
Humphries became a staple of the British comedy circuit after moving from Australia to London in 1959 and appearing in West End shows such as Maggie May and Oliver!
Pictured in 1966 as part of the BBC’s new satirical programme The Late Show featuring (l-r) John Bird, Anthony Holland, Eleanor Bron, Barry Humphries, Andrew Duncan and John Wells (PA)
Dressed as Australian cultural attache Sir Les Patterson with British politician Denis Healey and former James Bond star Roger Moore (PA)
Originally a drab Melbourne housewife satirising Australian suburbia, Dame Edna evolved into an increasingly boisterous and eccentric character, with “wisteria hue” hair and cat-eye glasses.
Dame Edna was Humphries’ most memorable character (Sean Dempsey/PA)
In character as Dame Edna Everage at the announcement of the Barry Humphries’ Farewell Tour in 2013 (PA)
Greeting Queen Elizabeth II in 1977 at Windsor for a gala variety performance in aid of the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Appeal (PA)
Humphries raises a smile from William, now the Prince of Wales, backstage at the Prince’s Trust 30th birthday concert at the Tower of London in 2006 (PA)
Camilla shares a word in 2021 as they attend The Oldie of the Year Awards at the Savoy Hotel (PA)
With Sir Elton John in 1991 (PA)
He returned to a role he had played 30 years ago – Fagin – in the West End musical production Oliver! in 1997 (PA)
