Claudia Byatt
Caring

Barry Humphries morbid hospital jokes revealed

Beloved Aussie comedian Barry Humphries was renowned for his jokes and cheeky commentary, and it seems he held onto his humour until the very end.

Longtime friend of the jokester, author Kathy Lette, said his comedic flare had everyone laughing, although his jokes were rather grim.

Speaking to The Project, Lette, who was Humphries’ UK neighbour for 26 years, mentioned one of her recent visits to the late performer in hospital.

“Barry didn’t have a skerrick of self pity so when you’d visit him in hospital his one concern was you felt at ease and that he was making the nurses laugh,” she said.

“So the last time I saw him in hospital he was joking about how the grim reaper had been walking up and down the hospital corridors at night saying, ‘He didn’t collect me this time.’

“And he joked with the nurses, saying ‘How many did he collect?’ and I said to him, ‘As you’re here they probably died laughing.’ Then he made jokes about what the grim reaper was wearing and what a terrible outfit he has, how it was the original hoodie.

“ … Being in hospital visiting Barry I almost had to be hospitalised from hilarity.”

Lette shared she was shocked by his death as she had expected him to pull through.

“It’s been such a horrible ordeal. We honestly thought he was going to rally.”

Humphries died aged 89 on April 22 at Sydney’s St Vincent Hospital in Darlinghurst following health issues caused by a broken hip. He was surrounded by his wife Lizzie and daughters Emily and Tessa.

He was infamous for his comedy characters like Dame Edna Everage and Sir Les Patterson.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described him as “the brightest star in the galaxy” and King Charles said he was “saddened” by the news of his death.

“He was completely himself until the very end, never losing his brilliant mind, his unique wit and generosity of spirit,” the statement read.

“With over seventy 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 lover 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.”

Image credit: Getty

Tags:
Barry Humphries, Kathy Lette, Comedian, Obituary