Australian entertainment icon Barry Humphries has passed away, aged 89.

Australian comedian Barry Humphries has passed away, aged 89. 

Best known for portraying inimitable characters such as Dame Edna Everage and Sir Les Patterson, Humphries passed away on Saturday, April 22, at Sydney's St Vincent's Hospital, where he had been receiving treatment for health issues.

The Australian icon died surrounded by his immediate family, including his wife of 30 years, Lizzie Spender.

"It is with great sadness that we announce that Barry Humphries passed away peacefully in Sydney, Australia today. He was surrounded by his family," read a statement given to Nine News by his publicist.

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

"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."

Humphries is survived by his wife, his children Tessa, Emily, Oscar and Rupert, and his 10 grandchildren.

In February, Humphries tripped on a rug while reaching for a book, breaking his hip. He underwent surgery at St Vincent's Hospital in Darlinghurst and was re-admitted in April following complications.

At the time, his family released a statement saying Humphries appreciated the public's support and well wishes. Nine's entertainment editor, Richard Wilkins, said Humphries' health then "took a turn".

"I have spoken to a few people close to Barry in the last couple of hours. It appears that in the last little while, Barry has taken a turn for the worst and is back in hospital."

BREAKING: This statement has just come in from the family of Barry Humphries. #10NewsFirst pic.twitter.com/3dX1YYlgil

— Angela Bishop OAM (@AngelaBishop) April 19, 2023

During his career, Humphries cemented himself as a talented comedian, actor, author and satirist, garnering himself a legion of fans around the world. 

He was also no stranger to controversy. 

In light of the news, here's a look back at the 89-year-old's life as an entertainer, comedian, husband and father. 

Watch Dame Edna Everage interviewed by Michael Parkinson. Post continues below. 

Born and raised in Melbourne, Humphries had a passion for acting, storytelling and coming up with alter-ego characters from a very young age. 

"Disguising myself as different characters... I had a whole box of dressing-up clothes," he once said. "I also found that entertaining people gave me a great feeling of release, making people laugh was a very good way of befriending them. People couldn't hit you if they were laughing."

In 1959, Humphries moved to England to pursue an acting career. The following year he gave his first major performance on the London stage in Oliver!. 

And who could forget the cartoon strip he created, The Wonderful World of Barry McKenzie, which was later produced as a film in which Humphries appeared – taking on not one but three roles.

But arguably his most famous character, of course, was Dame Edna Everage. Known for her lilac-coloured hair, cats'-eye glasses and vivacious greeting – "Hello, Possums!" 

Humphries also created the inebriated cultural attaché Sir Les Patterson, another alter-ego with many fans.

Throughout the years, Humphries won a number of awards, including the Sir Peter Ustinov Award for Comedy. 

His Broadway hit show, Dame Edna: The Royal Tour, received a Special Tony Award for a Live Theatrical Event. 

In 1982 he was honoured as an Officer of the Order of Australia, and as a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2007, for his services to entertainment and for being a star of London's West End musical theatre.

In 2012, Humphires announced a farewell tour for Dame Edna, but returned to the stage in 2019. Last year, he performed in London with Man Behind The Mask.

As for his personal life, it was certainly interesting.

He was married for 30 years to English film and television actor Elizabeth 'Lizzie' Spender – his fourth wife. Humphries married his first wife while in his early 20s, the pair divorcing after two years. He then married dancer Rosalind Tong , with whom he had his two daughters. His third marriage was to Australian surrealist painter Diane Milstead, with whom he had two sons.

In 2011, Humphries said that his daughter Tessa was an actress and daughter Emily a painter, while his son Oscar "does many things" including work as a journalist and fine art dealer, and son Rupert worked for a video game company.

Barry Humphries and his wife Elizabeth Spender. Image: Getty.

In recent years, the media coverage surrounding Humphries had skewed from reporting on his comedic talents to some of his controversial comments. 

In 2018, Humphries was criticised for remarks he made towards the trans community.

In an interview, Humphries said that being transgender is "a fashion – how many different kinds of lavatory can you have? And it's pretty evil when it's preached to children by crazy teachers."

Responding to a statistic that "more than 40 per cent of trans men and women have attempted or considered suicide", Humphries described activists' calls to have transphobia "treated in law as a form of assault" as "terrible ratbaggery". 

As a result of Humphries' comments, his name was stripped from a Melbourne Comedy Festival award. 

Reflecting on his career and whether he ever saw himself retiring, Humphries once said, "I enjoy myself most when I'm on a stage. I can't stand not working. I don't play golf, you see. 

"Golf courses are a bit like graveyards, don't you think? I won't go near one."

Feature Image: Getty/Mamamia.