An old friend of the late show business icon Barry Humphries has lashed out at his critics, calling their “disgraceful” treatment, adding that Australia didn’t value him “enough”.
The Aussie icon, 89, best known for his roles as Dame Edna Everage and Sir Les Patterson, died Saturday night at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney, surrounded by his family, following complications from hip surgery.
As the deluge of tributes continued, Humphries was snubbed by the big comedy festival he had helped put on on the last night.
The Melbourne International Comedy Festival did not offer an official tribute, five years after Humphries fell out with organizers over his comments being vilified for being ‘anti-trans’.
It followed comments he made about transgender people, including that it was a “fashion” craze and that sex reassignment surgery was “self-mutilation.”
British-Australian actress Miriam Margoyles defended her boyfriend of 65 years when she paid tribute to Humphries as a “great artist” while admitting his mistakes.
Barry Humphries (pictured with his wife Lizzie Spender) was ‘deeply hurt’ to be canceled by the organizers of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in 2018
She lashed out at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, saying Humphries was “deeply hurt” by the “cancellation” of the event he helped set up in the 1980s.
“I don’t think he was properly rated by Australia. I don’t think he was treated well, especially by the festival in Melbourne, which canceled him quite late in his life,” she told the broadcaster.
‘How dare they!
“He had more talent in his little finger than all of them had in their entire bodies. I am outraged about it. I want to speak now to support him.
“I am furious at how he has been treated in Australia. I think it’s disgraceful, and to all those people who think how smart they are, sharpen up and learn what’s really important.”
Margoyles admitted that Humphries had his faults and that she didn’t always agree with his views.
Farewell possum: Barry Humphries, best known for his role as Dame Edna (pictured) passed away Saturday night
“He was biting and he was quite nasty a lot of the time, but he was a genius and you have to accept that,” she added.
“Barry was one of the greatest comedians who ever lived, one of the greatest satirists, one of the wisest, sharpest fellows you could ever meet.”
“I’m lucky to have known him for so long.”
She added that she didn’t particularly like Humphries’ politics, but revered his talent.
“If people can’t see that, they need something up their asses!” Margoyles was furious.
“I’m not saying he was right in his politics. I told him to his face that he was wrong and that I disagreed.’
“But he was the greatest comedian who ever lived.”
A broken heart Miriam Margoyles (pictured) was friends with Barry Humphries for 65 years
Entertainment reporter Peter Ford agreed that Humphries was deeply hurt by the way he was treated in his final years.
“Barry had a problematic relationship with Melbourne, and with Australia in general, and the big elephant in the room is a terrible way he was treated by the Melbourne International Comedy Festival about five years ago,” Ford told Sunrise on Monday.
“They may have had their own justification for what they did, but I don’t think they handled it well.
“Barry made comments about trans people that were considered offensive and as a result they dropped a big prize at the comedy festival named after Barry, dropping him completely.
“Expats always want validation in their hometown, and this was Barry’s hometown, and he helped set up the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, so kicking him in the guts like that really hurt.”
While the Melbourne International Comedy Festival did not offer a formal tribute, the organizers did post a heartfelt message on social media.
“Having started his career in Melbourne, Barry’s early support, along with (English comedian) Peter Cook, helped launch and raise awareness of the festival nationally and internationally,” it read.
‘With festival founder John Pinder, Barry was part of a creative generation that celebrated and developed a global platform for Australian comedy.’
He will be remembered by legions of fans around the world for his humour, inimitable characters and caustic satire.
“Our thoughts are with his family and friends. Val Barry.’
Despite his mistakes, Barry Humphries (center) was, according to good friend Miriam Margoyles (right), one of the greatest comics who ever lived.