John Barry Humphries AO CBE (born 17 February 1934) is an Australian actor, artist, author, comedian, and satirist. His is probably best known for making up and playing the characters of Dame Edna Everage, a Melbourne housewife and "gigastar", and Sir Les Patterson, who is an really rude "Australian diplomat". He is also a movie producer and script writer, a star of London's West End musical theatre, an award-winning writer and a landscape painter. He has been on TV, in movie and on stage. He became popular in Australia in the 1950s, then Britain from the 1960s and finally in America in the 1990s. He has been called the most important comedian since Charlie Chaplin.
Barry Humphries
Questions and Answers
Q: Who is John Barry Humphries?
A: John Barry Humphries is an Australian actor, artist, author, comedian, and satirist.
Q: What is Dame Edna Everage?
A: Dame Edna Everage is a character made up and played by John Barry Humphries. She is a Melbourne housewife and "gigastar".
Q: Who is Sir Les Patterson?
A: Sir Les Patterson is a character made up and played by John Barry Humphries. He is an Australian diplomat who is really rude.
Q: What other professions did John Barry Humphries have besides acting and comedy?
A: John Barry Humphries is also a movie producer and script writer, a star of London's West End musical theatre, an award-winning writer, and a landscape painter.
Q: In which countries did John Barry Humphries become popular?
A: John Barry Humphries became popular in Australia in the 1950s, then Britain from the 1960s, and finally in America in the 1990s.
Q: Who has John Barry Humphries been compared to in terms of importance in comedy?
A: John Barry Humphries has been called the most important comedian since Charlie Chaplin.
Q: What honors has John Barry Humphries received?
A: John Barry Humphries has been honored as an Officer of the Order of Australia and Commander of the Order of British Empire.