Barry Humphries’ long health battle: how the legendary comedian underwent major surgery just weeks before being rushed to the hospital, where he “laughed and joked” with nurses the day before he died
- Barry Humphries passed away on Saturday at the age of 89
- Comedian died after complications from hip surgery
- Comes after tripping over a rug in February
Legendary comedian Barry Humphries passed away on Saturday after a lengthy health battle first triggered by a seemingly innocuous fall at his home.
Humphries, who was best known for his alter egos Dame Edna Everage and Sir Les Patterson, sadly never recovered from complications following hip surgery.
His death at the age of 89 came despite promising reports on Friday suggesting he was “alert” and “joking around” with nursing staff at Sydney’s St Vincent’s Hospital.
Hoped the comedian would make a full recovery after a A hospital spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia he was ‘stable’ and ‘responsive’.
However, a representative confirmed on Saturday that Humphries had died surrounded by his family, including his wife of 30 years Lizzie Spender.
The comedian had shrugged off concerns about the seriousness of his condition for weeks, telling fans and well-wishers that his health was improving.
His lengthy health battle had begun in February, when the beloved entertainer tripped over a rug while reaching for a book at his Sydney home.
Barry Humphries’ death came despite promising reports from the hospital on Friday suggesting he was ‘alert’ and ‘joking’ with nursing staff
A representative for Humphries confirmed on Saturday that he had passed away surrounded by his immediate family, including his wife of 30 years Lizzie Spender
Humphries underwent hip surgery in March at St. Vincent’s before being released.
Later that month, he told Andrew Hornery of Nine Entertainment that he hoped to get back in good shape so he could continue touring.
“I need to get back on my feet,” he said.
I’m going on tour again later this year. The result of my broken hip means I now have a titanium hip…you can call me “Bionic Bazza.”
However, disturbing reports on Thursday night suggested that Humphries was in an ‘unresponsive state’ and had been hospitalized again.
Entertainment commentator Peter Ford said: “It’s hard, and all we can do right now is basically give Barry Humphries a big shout out and say, ‘Australia loves you and we’ll always be grateful for everything you’ve given us ‘.’
“Barry has a fighting spirit and he won’t give up easily.”
Legendary comedian Barry Humphries (pictured in 2009) died on Saturday after a lengthy health battle first triggered by a seemingly innocuous fall at his home
Barry Humphries (pictured in 2013) has passed away from complications of hip surgery. The comedy legend was best known for his alter egos Dame Edna Everage and Sir Les Patterson
Humphries issued a jovial statement from his hospital bed, through his publicist, thanking fans and well-wishers.
“Barry would like to thank everyone for the support and best wishes he has received, but he wants more and more,” the statement read. His wife Elizabeth Spender also said he was “doing well.”
Unfortunately, he never recovered and died surrounded by family on Saturday.
Tributes from around the world soon began to pour in for the beloved entertainer.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said: ‘For 89 years, Barry Humphries entertained us with a range of personas from Dame Edna to Sandy Stone.
“But the brightest star in that galaxy was always Barry.
A great wit, satirist, writer and an absolute one-of-kind, he was both gifted and a gift. May he rest in peace.’