Barry Humphries, the Australian entertainer whose gladioli-waving alter ego Dame Edna charmed and roasted celebrities, all with a Cheshire grin, outrageous eyewear, a “Hello, Possums!” greeting and a flurry of caustic wit, died Saturday. He was 89.
Humphries died at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney of complications from hip surgery, his family announced.
“He was completely himself until the very end, never losing his brilliant mind, his unique wit and generosity of spirit,” they said. “With over 70 years on the stage, he was an entertainer to his core, touring up until the last year of his life and planning more shows that will sadly never be.”
He portrayed Dame Edna Everage — whom he called a “gauche, garrulous Melbourne housewife with a very shrill voice who was obsessed with interior decoration” — for more than six decades across cabarets, clubs, stage and screen as one of the world’s oldest continual comic creations.
Humphries died at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney of complications from hip surgery, his family announced.
“He was completely himself until the very end, never losing his brilliant mind, his unique wit and generosity of spirit,” they said. “With over 70 years on the stage, he was an entertainer to his core, touring up until the last year of his life and planning more shows that will sadly never be.”
He portrayed Dame Edna Everage — whom he called a “gauche, garrulous Melbourne housewife with a very shrill voice who was obsessed with interior decoration” — for more than six decades across cabarets, clubs, stage and screen as one of the world’s oldest continual comic creations.
- 4/22/2023
- by Rhett Bartlett
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Australian satirist Barry Humphries, known for his onstage and TV drag persona Edna Everage and for his character Sir Les Patterson, has died. He was 89.
The BBC reported that Humphries had been in hospital in Sydney, Australia, and had been suffering from complications following surgery in March.
“A great wit, satirist, writer and an absolute one-of-kind, he was both gifted and a gift,” Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said following the news of Humphries’ death.
“Rip Barry Humphries – one of the greatest ever Australians – and a comic genius who used his exuberant alter egos, Dame Edna Everage and Sir Les Patterson, to say the otherwise unsayable. Also an infallibly brilliant Spectator contributor. What a loss,” said former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Twitter.
Rip Barry Humphries – one of the greatest ever Australians – and a comic genius who used his exuberant alter egos, Dame Edna Everage and Sir Les Patterson,...
The BBC reported that Humphries had been in hospital in Sydney, Australia, and had been suffering from complications following surgery in March.
“A great wit, satirist, writer and an absolute one-of-kind, he was both gifted and a gift,” Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said following the news of Humphries’ death.
“Rip Barry Humphries – one of the greatest ever Australians – and a comic genius who used his exuberant alter egos, Dame Edna Everage and Sir Les Patterson, to say the otherwise unsayable. Also an infallibly brilliant Spectator contributor. What a loss,” said former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Twitter.
Rip Barry Humphries – one of the greatest ever Australians – and a comic genius who used his exuberant alter egos, Dame Edna Everage and Sir Les Patterson,...
- 4/22/2023
- by Carmel Dagan and Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
From ocker blokes to a dunny attendant via drag queens and an endearing dork, the zany characters in Australian films reflect evolving notions of national identity
Guardian Australia film club screens Kenny on 23 August at Cinema Nova, Melbourne with a panel on Australian comedy – book your place
Was Barry McKenzie the greatest comedy trailblazer in the history of Australian cinema? The film that bears his name, director Bruce Beresford’s vulgar 1972 classic The Adventures of Barry McKenzie, didn’t so much pave the way as – to paraphrase Marge Simpson – throw up on it.
Accompanied by his beloved Aunt Edna (Barry Humphries), the beer-guzzling yahoo (played by Barry Crocker) travelled to England and tested cinema patrons with unprecedented gross-outs, like hot beef curry as an aphrodisiac and songs about one-eyed trouser snakes. Audiences responded with two thumbs up and Bazza became one of Australian film’s most notorious comedy heroes. He...
Guardian Australia film club screens Kenny on 23 August at Cinema Nova, Melbourne with a panel on Australian comedy – book your place
Was Barry McKenzie the greatest comedy trailblazer in the history of Australian cinema? The film that bears his name, director Bruce Beresford’s vulgar 1972 classic The Adventures of Barry McKenzie, didn’t so much pave the way as – to paraphrase Marge Simpson – throw up on it.
Accompanied by his beloved Aunt Edna (Barry Humphries), the beer-guzzling yahoo (played by Barry Crocker) travelled to England and tested cinema patrons with unprecedented gross-outs, like hot beef curry as an aphrodisiac and songs about one-eyed trouser snakes. Audiences responded with two thumbs up and Bazza became one of Australian film’s most notorious comedy heroes. He...
- 8/12/2015
- by Luke Buckmaster
- The Guardian - Film News
Patrick Brammall will make his Us screen debut in NBC.s pilot Strange Calls, a remake of the Australian series created by Daley Pearson.
The role won.t be a stretch for the actor as he is reprising the character of the macho but not overly bright Sergeant Lloyd,. whom he played in The Strange Calls.
Hoodlum.s Tracey Robertson and Nathan Mayfield, who executive produced the original for ABC2, will work on the pilot with Aaron Kaplan of Kapital Entertainment and 20th Century Fox TV.
The original writer Donick Cary has departed and the pilot is being written by Blake McCormick (Cougar Town, King of the Hill).
"When I read the Us script I was struck by how faithful it is to Daley's original creation," Brammall told If today.. "Blake McCormick. has nailed the tone. It's extremely funny; I reckon the Us audience will love it. And I can't wait to play Sarge again.
The role won.t be a stretch for the actor as he is reprising the character of the macho but not overly bright Sergeant Lloyd,. whom he played in The Strange Calls.
Hoodlum.s Tracey Robertson and Nathan Mayfield, who executive produced the original for ABC2, will work on the pilot with Aaron Kaplan of Kapital Entertainment and 20th Century Fox TV.
The original writer Donick Cary has departed and the pilot is being written by Blake McCormick (Cougar Town, King of the Hill).
"When I read the Us script I was struck by how faithful it is to Daley's original creation," Brammall told If today.. "Blake McCormick. has nailed the tone. It's extremely funny; I reckon the Us audience will love it. And I can't wait to play Sarge again.
- 2/19/2015
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
NBC has commissioned a pilot of Strange Calls, a remake of the Australian series created by Daley Pearson.
Hoodlum.s Tracey Robertson and Nathan Mayfield, who executive produced The Strange Calls for ABC2, will work on the pilot with Aaron Kaplan of Kapital Entertainment and 20th Century Fox TV.
The project was set up initially with the Us ABC network but did not proceed after difficulties in casting the lead, according to Deadline.com.
The original writer Donick Cary has departed and the pilot is being written by Blake McCormick (Cougar Town, King of the Hill).
The plot will follow an affable but down-on-his-luck young police officer who is transferred to a rural town where, helped by a peculiar, elderly night watchman, he realises the town has a bizarre supernatural underbelly.
The Strange Calls, which starred Toby Truslove as the cop and Barry Crocker as the night security man, screened...
Hoodlum.s Tracey Robertson and Nathan Mayfield, who executive produced The Strange Calls for ABC2, will work on the pilot with Aaron Kaplan of Kapital Entertainment and 20th Century Fox TV.
The project was set up initially with the Us ABC network but did not proceed after difficulties in casting the lead, according to Deadline.com.
The original writer Donick Cary has departed and the pilot is being written by Blake McCormick (Cougar Town, King of the Hill).
The plot will follow an affable but down-on-his-luck young police officer who is transferred to a rural town where, helped by a peculiar, elderly night watchman, he realises the town has a bizarre supernatural underbelly.
The Strange Calls, which starred Toby Truslove as the cop and Barry Crocker as the night security man, screened...
- 1/29/2015
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
The Us network ABC looks highly likely to shoot a pilot based on the quirky Australian comedy series The Strange Calls.
The network has ordered a pilot based on the show which was created and directed by Daley Pearson for Hoodlum Entertainment for ABC2.
The only proviso is that the network must first approve the cast being assembled by director Ruben Fleischer (Zombieland), producer Aaron Kaplan of Kapital Entertainment and the showrunner Donick Cary, according to Deadline.com.
Cary has completed the script for the pilot based on Pearson.s script. Hoodlum Entertainment.s Tracey Robertson and Nathan Mayfield will serve as executive producers with Kaplan and Cary.
The pilot will start shooting as soon as the network approves the cast. The Us show, which has the working title Strange Calls, will switch the location to Nantucket island, where bumbling cop Toby Banks is called on to investigate strange, unexplainable occurrences.
The network has ordered a pilot based on the show which was created and directed by Daley Pearson for Hoodlum Entertainment for ABC2.
The only proviso is that the network must first approve the cast being assembled by director Ruben Fleischer (Zombieland), producer Aaron Kaplan of Kapital Entertainment and the showrunner Donick Cary, according to Deadline.com.
Cary has completed the script for the pilot based on Pearson.s script. Hoodlum Entertainment.s Tracey Robertson and Nathan Mayfield will serve as executive producers with Kaplan and Cary.
The pilot will start shooting as soon as the network approves the cast. The Us show, which has the working title Strange Calls, will switch the location to Nantucket island, where bumbling cop Toby Banks is called on to investigate strange, unexplainable occurrences.
- 10/9/2013
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
The Us network ABC looks highly likely to shoot a pilot based on the quirky Australian comedy series The Strange Calls.
The network has ordered a pilot based on the show which was created and directed by Daley Pearson for Hoodlum Entertainment for ABC2.
The only proviso is that the network must first approve the cast being assembled by director Ruben Fleischer (Zombieland), producer Aaron Kaplan of Kapital Entertainment and the showrunner Donick Cary, according to Deadline.com.
Cary has completed the script for the pilot based on Pearson.s script. Hoodlum Entertainment.s Tracey Robertson and Nathan Mayfield will serve as executive producers with Kaplan and Cary.
The pilot will start shooting as soon as the network approves the cast. The Us show, which has the working title Strange Calls, will switch the location to Nantucket island, where bumbling cop Toby Banks is called on to investigate strange, unexplainable occurrences.
The network has ordered a pilot based on the show which was created and directed by Daley Pearson for Hoodlum Entertainment for ABC2.
The only proviso is that the network must first approve the cast being assembled by director Ruben Fleischer (Zombieland), producer Aaron Kaplan of Kapital Entertainment and the showrunner Donick Cary, according to Deadline.com.
Cary has completed the script for the pilot based on Pearson.s script. Hoodlum Entertainment.s Tracey Robertson and Nathan Mayfield will serve as executive producers with Kaplan and Cary.
The pilot will start shooting as soon as the network approves the cast. The Us show, which has the working title Strange Calls, will switch the location to Nantucket island, where bumbling cop Toby Banks is called on to investigate strange, unexplainable occurrences.
- 10/9/2013
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Australian comedy/mystery series The Strange Calls has been bought by Hulu, the giant Us video-streaming service.
Produced by Hoodlum Entertainment, the six-parter will premiere on Hulu on October 19.
Owned by Disney, 21st Century Fox and NBCUniversal, the service streamed more than 1 billion videos in the first quarter of this year. Its paid subscription service, Hulu Plus, has more than 4 million subscribers.
The deal was concluded by Dcd Rights, which had sold the show to a bunch of other territories including China and Russia. Based on a short film by Daley Pearson and Luke Tierney, it stars Toby Truslove as a local Gold Coast cop who investigates weird things that happen after dark, accompanied by Barry Crocker as a night security man.
A Us remake of the series, which aired on ABC2, is being developed by 20th TV for the American ABC network. Set in Nantucket Island near Boston, the...
Produced by Hoodlum Entertainment, the six-parter will premiere on Hulu on October 19.
Owned by Disney, 21st Century Fox and NBCUniversal, the service streamed more than 1 billion videos in the first quarter of this year. Its paid subscription service, Hulu Plus, has more than 4 million subscribers.
The deal was concluded by Dcd Rights, which had sold the show to a bunch of other territories including China and Russia. Based on a short film by Daley Pearson and Luke Tierney, it stars Toby Truslove as a local Gold Coast cop who investigates weird things that happen after dark, accompanied by Barry Crocker as a night security man.
A Us remake of the series, which aired on ABC2, is being developed by 20th TV for the American ABC network. Set in Nantucket Island near Boston, the...
- 8/2/2013
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Russell Crowe has been announced as the new Aacta host after a conflicting La schedule forced original host Hugh Sheridan to pull out.
The second annual Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards will see Crowe headline an impressive line-up of presenters, including Aacta president Geoffery Rush and Aacta ambassador Cate Blanchett.
The awards, to be held on January 30 at The Star Event Centre, will see more than 1000 Australian film and television performers and practitioners in attendance.
In addition to the Aacta Awards in Sydney, Crowe will also host the Aacta International Awards in Los Angeles on Saturday, which Sheridan will now also attend.
"The Australian Academy is making its mark in the States, and I'm equally as honoured to represent the Australian industry in L.A. as host of Aacta's International Awards, as I am to return home to celebrate the success of my peers at the 2nd Aacta Awards Ceremony in Sydney,...
The second annual Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards will see Crowe headline an impressive line-up of presenters, including Aacta president Geoffery Rush and Aacta ambassador Cate Blanchett.
The awards, to be held on January 30 at The Star Event Centre, will see more than 1000 Australian film and television performers and practitioners in attendance.
In addition to the Aacta Awards in Sydney, Crowe will also host the Aacta International Awards in Los Angeles on Saturday, which Sheridan will now also attend.
"The Australian Academy is making its mark in the States, and I'm equally as honoured to represent the Australian industry in L.A. as host of Aacta's International Awards, as I am to return home to celebrate the success of my peers at the 2nd Aacta Awards Ceremony in Sydney,...
- 1/22/2013
- by Inside Film Correspondent
- IF.com.au
Hit musical drama The Sapphires has scored 12 nominations at the 2012 Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (Aacta) Awards including in the coveted best feature film category.
The Sapphires, which follows four indigenous singers during the Vietnam war, has grossed more than $14 million in Australia to become the biggest local film of the year.
Three other films will be also be vying for the best feature film award: Burning Man (10 nominations in total), Lore (eight nominations in total) and Wish You Were Here (eight nominations in total) at the main Aacta ceremony, which will be held on January 30, 2013, at The Star Event Centre. Last year's event was held at the iconic Sydney Opera House.
P.J. Hogan's Mental also scored eight nominations including Best Lead Actress (Toni Collette), Best Supporting Actor (Liev Schreiber) Best Young Actor (Lily Sullivan) and Best Supporting Actress for Rebecca Gibney and Deborah Mailman.
Not Suitable for Children...
The Sapphires, which follows four indigenous singers during the Vietnam war, has grossed more than $14 million in Australia to become the biggest local film of the year.
Three other films will be also be vying for the best feature film award: Burning Man (10 nominations in total), Lore (eight nominations in total) and Wish You Were Here (eight nominations in total) at the main Aacta ceremony, which will be held on January 30, 2013, at The Star Event Centre. Last year's event was held at the iconic Sydney Opera House.
P.J. Hogan's Mental also scored eight nominations including Best Lead Actress (Toni Collette), Best Supporting Actor (Liev Schreiber) Best Young Actor (Lily Sullivan) and Best Supporting Actress for Rebecca Gibney and Deborah Mailman.
Not Suitable for Children...
- 12/3/2012
- by Brendan Swift
- IF.com.au
The Sapphires has led the Academy of Australian Cinema and Television Arts Awards nominations being nominated in 12 categories.
Awards will be handed out over two events, with an awards luncheon, focused on craft categories on Monday January 28 and the main event on January 30. Both events will be held at the Star Event Centre, the first public events for the venue.
The Sapphires, distributed by Hopscotch/eOne has been nominated for Best Film, Best Direction and best adapted screenplay as well as Best Lead Actor and Actress for Chris O’Dowd and Deborah Mailman, and Best Supporting Actress for Jessica Mauboy.
Burning Man was not far behind on 10 nominations including best film and best direction as well as best lead actor for Matthre Goode and Best Supporting Actress for Essie Davis.
Three more films, Lore, Mental and Wish You Were Here received eight nominations while Not Suitable For Children received four.
Awards will be handed out over two events, with an awards luncheon, focused on craft categories on Monday January 28 and the main event on January 30. Both events will be held at the Star Event Centre, the first public events for the venue.
The Sapphires, distributed by Hopscotch/eOne has been nominated for Best Film, Best Direction and best adapted screenplay as well as Best Lead Actor and Actress for Chris O’Dowd and Deborah Mailman, and Best Supporting Actress for Jessica Mauboy.
Burning Man was not far behind on 10 nominations including best film and best direction as well as best lead actor for Matthre Goode and Best Supporting Actress for Essie Davis.
Three more films, Lore, Mental and Wish You Were Here received eight nominations while Not Suitable For Children received four.
- 12/3/2012
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
New ABC2 comedy The Strange Calls has become the latest local TV series to be picked up for a Us pilot.
Us Network ABC has commissioned a .put pilot. . a strong commitment requiring it to broadcast the initial pilot episode, which often leads to a full series.
The Us adaptation will be led by writer Donick Cary (New Girl), director Ruben Fleischer (Zombieland) and producer Aaron Kaplan (The Neighbors). All three will executive produce alongside the Australian series producers, Tracey Robertson and Nathan Mayfield of Hoodlum.
The Australian 6x30-minute multiplatform series, which begins broadcast on October 16, stars Barry Crocker and Toby Truslove as an unlikely paranormal investigative team. The series was written and directed by Daley Pearson ($quid). The first episode has already launched on ABC iView and the series will invite audiences to communicate with the characters and share .strange. sightings via Twitter and the show.s website.
Us Network ABC has commissioned a .put pilot. . a strong commitment requiring it to broadcast the initial pilot episode, which often leads to a full series.
The Us adaptation will be led by writer Donick Cary (New Girl), director Ruben Fleischer (Zombieland) and producer Aaron Kaplan (The Neighbors). All three will executive produce alongside the Australian series producers, Tracey Robertson and Nathan Mayfield of Hoodlum.
The Australian 6x30-minute multiplatform series, which begins broadcast on October 16, stars Barry Crocker and Toby Truslove as an unlikely paranormal investigative team. The series was written and directed by Daley Pearson ($quid). The first episode has already launched on ABC iView and the series will invite audiences to communicate with the characters and share .strange. sightings via Twitter and the show.s website.
- 10/11/2012
- by Staff reporter
- IF.com.au
This article, written by respected cinematographer Robert Humphreys Acs, originally appeared at the Australian Cinematographers Society website. For more information about the show, visit The Strange Calls. .
The Strange Calls is a six-part TV drama series written and directed by Daley Pearson and produced by Tracey Robertson and co-produced by Leigh McGrath for Hoodlum and the ABC.
Bumbling city cop Toby Banks (Toby Truslove) is demoted to night duty in the sleepy beachside village of Coolum. Working out of a run-down caravan on the outskirts of town, he meets Gregor (Barry Crocker), town cleaner, board game collector and paranormal authority. They team up to investigate The Strange Calls . bizarre late-night phone calls that expose the paranormal mysteries haunting the sleepy town. A place where men turn into chickens, mermaids fall in love with locals and cats return from the grave.
We shot The Strange Calls using a single Arri Alexa camera from Cameraquip.
The Strange Calls is a six-part TV drama series written and directed by Daley Pearson and produced by Tracey Robertson and co-produced by Leigh McGrath for Hoodlum and the ABC.
Bumbling city cop Toby Banks (Toby Truslove) is demoted to night duty in the sleepy beachside village of Coolum. Working out of a run-down caravan on the outskirts of town, he meets Gregor (Barry Crocker), town cleaner, board game collector and paranormal authority. They team up to investigate The Strange Calls . bizarre late-night phone calls that expose the paranormal mysteries haunting the sleepy town. A place where men turn into chickens, mermaids fall in love with locals and cats return from the grave.
We shot The Strange Calls using a single Arri Alexa camera from Cameraquip.
- 9/4/2012
- by Robert Humphreys ACS
- IF.com.au
Ian Turpie has been honoured at the 2011 Mo Awards. The Australian television personality, who is best known as the host of The Price Is Right, attended the event to receive the Hall of Fame award despite the fact that he is currently battling cancer. According to The Daily Telegraph, Turpie looked frail following chemotherapy treatment as he beat Col Joye, Vince Sorrenti, Barry Crocker, Sandy Scott and Jade Hurley to the prestigious prize. At the annual event, singer Jenifer Green won the Peter Allen 'Performer of the Year' and 'Female (more)...
- 5/26/2011
- by By Rebecca Davies
- Digital Spy
Take one part Sin City, add period costumes, shift the story to the late 1800s, and make your two male leads gay -- that seems the most succinct way to explain Moonlite, a new Australian adventure tale of real-life charismatic bushranger Andrew George Scott, alias, Captain Moonlite, and his close companion, James Nesbitt.
Here's the lowdown...
Fated to meet in prison, the pair become lifelong friends and embark on an adventure through the Australian bush. A police constable pursues them, a young newspaper journalist commentates on their journey in print and a mysterious lady in black watches from afar as the story reaches a shocking conclusion.
The film wrapped filming in May in front of green screen backgrounds, and we have some photos from that shoot.
Written by Simon Matthews and Rohan Spong, and directed by Spong, Moonlite stars an eclectic bunch of Australian actors and personalities -- including Richard Stables,...
Here's the lowdown...
Fated to meet in prison, the pair become lifelong friends and embark on an adventure through the Australian bush. A police constable pursues them, a young newspaper journalist commentates on their journey in print and a mysterious lady in black watches from afar as the story reaches a shocking conclusion.
The film wrapped filming in May in front of green screen backgrounds, and we have some photos from that shoot.
Written by Simon Matthews and Rohan Spong, and directed by Spong, Moonlite stars an eclectic bunch of Australian actors and personalities -- including Richard Stables,...
- 6/21/2010
- Screen Anarchy
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