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Today star reveals Barry Humphries' joke from hospital before death
The famous Aussie comedian died on Saturday night.
Tributes have been pouring in for Barry Humphries after his death aged 89, with celebrities, fans and friends mourning the loss of the great Australian comedian. The star, famous for creating beloved characters Dame Edna Everage and Sir Les Patterson, is believed to have kept his cheeky sense of humour while he was in hospital.
The Melbourne-born comic passed away at St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney surrounded by his family on Saturday night.
During Today’s coverage of Barry’s death, Nine Entertainment Editor Richard Wilkins reassured fans he continued to make jokes while ill.
“Apparently in hospital he was still cracking people up. He’s saying, ‘No, I’ve got this new hip. You can call me ‘Bionic Bazza’,” he revealed.
“That must have taken a lot of energy from him but he kept people entertained, the showman.”
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The Today star also recalled a surprising story about how down-to-earth the Aussie icon was, even at the height of fame.
After Richard invited Barry to a Boxing Day party, he spent the entire event socialising with different guests.
“He was the first to arrive, and spent the whole day meeting people. And he was eternally interested in other people,” the Today star explained. “At the end he said, ‘I’m going to go now’. I said, ‘Do you want me to get a car?’. And he said, ‘I’m getting a lift with one of those people over there.’
He summed up Barry’s loveable personality in one final sentence: “He made ordinary people feel special and special people feel pretty ordinarily.”
Barry's family make touching statement
Barry’s health quickly deteriorated this year after he was readmitted to St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney, after suffering complications caused by his recent hip surgery.
He tripped on a rug while attempting to reach a book in February and had hip surgery in March.
His family released a heartfelt statement about the entertainer’s death, saying that his fans were “precious to him”.
“He was completely himself until the very end, never losing his brilliant mind, his unique wit and generosity of spirit," his family 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."
“His audiences were precious to him, and he never took them for granted. Although he may be best remembered for his work in theatre, he was a painter, author, poet, and a collector and love of art in all its forms.
“He was also a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and a friend and confidant to many. His passing leaves a void in so many lives. The characters he created, which brought laughter to millions, will live on.”
The Aussie star is survived by his fourth wife Elizabeth Spender, his four children and 10 grandchildren.
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