biography
| name: |
Humphries, (John) Barry
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| sex:
| male
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| lived:
| (1934– )
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| biography:
| Comic performer and satirical writer, born in Melbourne, Victoria, SE Australia. He studied at Melbourne University, and made his theatrical debut at the Union Theatre, Melbourne (1953–4). In Britain from 1959, he made his London debut in The Demon Barber (1959) and subsequently appeared in Oliver! (1960, 1963, 1968, and 1997). He created the Barry McKenzie comic strip in Private Eye (1964–73) and wrote the screenplay for The Adventures of Barry McKenzie (1972), in which he also appeared. His many one-man stage shows include A Nice Night's Entertainment (1962) and Back With a Vengeance (1987–9). He is best known for his characters Sir Les Patterson and ‘housewife megastar’ Dame Edna Everage, who have frequently appeared on television and in film. His books include Barry Humphries' Treasury of Australian Kitsch (1980), Neglected Poems and Other Creatures (1991), an autobiography More Please (1992), and an autobiographical novel Women in the Background (1995). ‘Dame Edna’ has also written a number of books, including My Gorgeous Life (1989). He was voted Television Personality of the Year in 1990. |
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