Have you heard of the comedian Barry Humphries? Did you like his sense of humor? Born in Melbourne, Australia, on February 17, 1934, Barry Humphries, birth name John Barry Humphries was an actor, satirist, and comedian. Barry was best known for creating Dame Edna Everage and Sir Les Patterson television characters.
Barry was born to Eric Humphries, a construction manager, and Louisa Angine, a homemaker. Barry had a relatively happy life, but he began to rebel in his teenage years. Barry finished his schooling at Melbourne Grammar School and went for his further studies at the University of Melbourne, where he studied Law, Philosophy, and Fine Arts.
Barry dropped out halfway through the course and received an honorary doctorate after almost 50 years. Barry joined Melbourne Theatre Company after dropping out of college to pursue his dreams. The first character Barry incarnated was Edna Everage, who went on to become one of the known characters created by him.
Some notable work of Barry includes the creation of Dame Edna Everage, Sir Les Patterson, and Sandy Stones. Barry has made appearances in films in a cameo, including Beadazzled, The Great Macarthy, Side by Side, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Barry made two successful comedy talk shows titled The Dame Edna Experience and London Weekend Television.
Humphries had two kids with his first wife, Brenda Wright. Barry was married to Lizzie Spender at the time of his death. Tributes have been flowing in following Barry’s demise to honor his artistic geniuses. Barry enjoyed an estimated net worth of $12 M.
Also Read:Did Joe Alwyn Cheat on Taylor Swift? The Truth Revealed
Barry Humphries’s Controversy
The biggest controversy Barry was a part of when his name was stripped from the Melbourne comedy festival. During the ceremony, the best show there would win the Barry Award since 2000, but in 2019 this Award was renamed to be Melbourne International Comedy Festival Award following Barry’s comment on transgender people and their community. The controversy began in 2016 when Barry supported Germaine Greer, an Australian feminists views, who has been a long-time critic of trans people.
In January 2016, Barry’s statement during an Interview with Telegraph where stated that I agree with Germaine! You’re a mutilated man, and it’s self-mutilation, Carry on. Barry was sad about the decision taken by the board members of the award show.
The Award show later issued a statement stating they are not canceling Barry; the board has been thinking about making the change for a while. Barry has claimed gender reassignment is self-mutilation, and Susan Provan, the festival’s director, stated Barry’s comments were not helpful and played a part in their decision to change the name of the Award. Barry has previously stated that being transgender is a fashion.
Barry described Catily Jenner, a transgender Olympian, as a publicity-seeking rat-bag. Barry’s friend stated in a comment that she felt MICF had canceled Barry late in life, even though they denied his cancellation.
She also said we celebrate Barry’s artistic geniuses while not liking some of his views. Susan also claimed Barry’s views were not supported by their community. Thus, they renamed the Award to reinforce what their Award stands for equality and diversity.
Barry doubled down on his claims after two years by stating that transgender people cut their genitalia off and tucked in, and following it; he said that the teachers who support trans youth in school are wrong. He stated it is pretty evil when it’s preached by a crazed teacher. People commented that Barry loved people with power and hated the ones in the minority. Barry never apologized for his comments on the transgender community.
Also Read: Blackpink Lisa Net Worth
