---
name: "Barry Humphries"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/barry-humphries"
fi1m_id: "barry-humphries"
imdb_id: "nm0402032"
tmdb_id: 22
wikidata_id: "Q734221"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "17 February 1934"
died: "22 April 2023"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 5
average_fi1m_score: 72
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 4
updated: "2026-10-07T16:26:47.008718+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Barry Humphries

## Identity

Barry Humphries

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/barry-humphries
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** barry-humphries
- **IMDb ID:** nm0402032
- **TMDB ID:** 22
- **Wikidata ID:** Q734221
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barry_Humphries, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q734221, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0402032/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/22

Actor. Born 17 February 1934 in Camberwell, Melbourne, Australia. Died 22 April 2023.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 17 February 1934, Camberwell, Melbourne, Australia
- **Died:** 22 April 2023
- **Active:** 1997–2012
- **Also known as:** Dame Edna Everage, John Barry Humphries, Edna Everage, Les Patterson, Barry McKenzie, Sandy Stone, Bazza McKenzie
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 5: 4 acting, 1 other
- **Average Fi1m score:** 72, as actor, over 4 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 62 (1), 2000s 82 (3), 2010s 60 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 72 to 65 across 4 titles
- **Score spread:** 2 at 80+, 2 at 60–79, 0 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 2 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Adventure 3, Animation 2, Comedy 2, Drama 2, Fantasy 2, Action 1
- **Screen time:** 8 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $2,063m across 4 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barry_Humphries, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q734221, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0402032/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/22

## Streaming the US now

- **AMC+:** [*Mary and Max*](https://film.one/film/mary-and-max.md) (80)
- **HBO Max:** [*The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey*](https://film.one/film/the-hobbit-an-unexpected-journey.md) (60)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Barry Humphries

> Barry Humphries made outrageous characters convincing by seeming entirely comfortable inside them. We also value his quieter work: the dry narration of *Mary and Max* makes peculiar people funny without treating their loneliness as a joke.

In *Mary and Max* (2009), Barry Humphries’s narrator describes peculiar behaviour without sounding remotely unsettled by it. His composure makes it funnier, and gives the lonely people in Adam Elliot’s animation a welcome sort of company. We laughed at the calmness of his delivery, because he leaves the behaviour itself to supply the joke. The film does not require its characters to become agreeable before taking them seriously. Humphries understands how little fuss that requires of the person telling their story.

His early film parts included Envy in *Bedazzled* (1967), but his own satirical characters gave his work its clearest identity. Dame Edna Everage was gaudy and acid-tongued; Sir Les Patterson was a vulgar cultural attaché. He played Aunt Edna and co-wrote *The Adventures of Barry McKenzie* (1972), extending that work into cinema. His one-man shows found success from 1976, while *The Dame Edna Experience* (1987) later put Edna to work interviewing celebrities on television. His characters gave him a way to ridicule suburban complacency and stardom.

The characters mattered because audiences accepted them as distinct personalities, giving Humphries room to deliver provocative material through them. His stage revues combined prepared material, improvisation and audience interaction, so he could respond to the people in front of him. Edna’s own claims to grandeur made her a useful person to set among celebrities: she was available for ridicule too. The weakness comes when a character has little to offer beyond another insult.

In *Mary and Max*, he can be funny without needing to make someone look foolish. Elliot’s writing allows misunderstandings to grow through letters, where neither correspondent can immediately correct what the other has misunderstood. Humphries’s dry narration suits that awkward delay, giving us a reason to enjoy these people’s company while their attempts to explain themselves go wrong. The film does accumulate more misfortune than their company can always bear, and we would not recommend it as uncomplicated comfort. But start there to hear how funny Humphries could be without putting anyone on the spot.

## Biography

Barry Humphries was an Australian actor, comedian and satirist. He created and performed the characters Dame Edna Everage and Sir Les Patterson across stage, television and film for more than six decades.

Humphries appeared in numerous films, including *Bedazzled* (1967), *Spice World* (1997), *Nicholas Nickleby* (2002), *Finding Nemo* (2003) as the voice of Bruce, *The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey* (2012) as the Great Goblin, and *Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie* (2016). He provided the narration for the animated film *Mary and Max* (2009).

He was born John Barry Humphries on 17 February 1934 in Camberwell, Melbourne, and died on 22 April 2023.

*Sources: imdb.com, en.wikipedia.org, hollywoodreporter.com.*

## On Fi1m (5)

### Performed in (4) — the average rests on these

- *The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey* (2012), Fi1m 60, as The Great Goblin — [page](https://film.one/film/the-hobbit-an-unexpected-journey.md)
- *Mary and Max* (2009), Fi1m 80, as Narrator (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/mary-and-max.md)
- *Finding Nemo* (2003), Fi1m 85, as Bruce (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/finding-nemo.md)
- *Spice World* (1997), Fi1m 62, as Kevin McMaxford — [page](https://film.one/film/spice-world.md)

### Also credited (1) — thanks, archive footage, uncredited

- *The Graham Norton Show* (2007), Fi1m 82, as Self — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-graham-norton-show.md)

## Complete filmography (72)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Parkinson at 50* (2021), as Dame Edna Everage (archive footage)
- *Show of Titles* (2021), as "Anyone Can Whistle" Performer
- *Dame Edna Rules The Waves* (2019), as Dame Edna Everidge · Writer
- *Dame Edna Rules The Waves* (2019), series, Creator
- *Standing Up for Sunny* (2019), as Barry Humphries
- *Magical Land of Oz* (2019), series, as Narrator (voice)
- *A Granny's Guide to the Modern World* (2016), series, Actor
- *Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie* (2016), as Charlie / Dame Edna
- *Blinky Bill the Movie* (2015), as Wombo (voice)
- *Jack Irish: Dead Point* (2014), as Justice Logan
- *Justin and the Knights of Valour* (2013), as Braulio (voice)
- *The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey* (2012), as The Great Goblin — Fi1m 60, [page](https://film.one/film/the-hobbit-an-unexpected-journey.md)
- *Kath & Kimderella* (2012), as Dame Edna Everage
- *A Comedy Roast* (2010), series, Actor
- *Comedy Rocks with Jason Manford* (2010), series, Actor
- *Mary and Max* (2009), as Narrator (voice) — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/mary-and-max.md)
- *Salvation* (2009), as Client
- *Gaybo Laughs Back* (2008), as Dame Edna
- *Little Britain Down Under* (2007), as Dame Edna Everage
- *The Dame Edna Treatment* (2007), series, Actor
- *Betjeman and Me* (2006), series, Actor
- *Da Kath & Kim Code* (2005), as John Monk
- *Barry Humphries Presents Back to My Roots and Other Suckers* (2003), as Sir Les Patterson/Owen Steele/Sandy Stone/Dame Edna Everage · Writer
- *Finding Nemo* (2003), as Bruce (voice) — Fi1m 85, [page](https://film.one/film/finding-nemo.md)
- *Nicholas Nickleby* (2002), as Mrs. Crummles/Mr. Leadville
- *Welcome to Woop Woop* (1998), as Blind Wally
- *Spice World* (1997), as Kevin McMaxford — Fi1m 62, [page](https://film.one/film/spice-world.md)
- *Pterodactyl Woman from Beverly Hills* (1997), as Bert / Lady Shopper / Manager
- *Ally McBeal* (1997), series, as Claire Otoms — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/ally-mcbeal.md)
- *Sir Les And The Great Chinese Takeaway* (1997), as Les Patterson/Dame Edna · Writer
- *The Leading Man* (1996), as Humphrey Beal
- *Les Patterson 'Has A Stand Up' - Live & Rampant* (1996), as Les Patterson · Writer
- *Napoleon* (1995), as Kangaroo (voice)
- *Immortal Beloved* (1994), as Clemens Metternich
- *The Team: A Season With McLaren* (1993), series, as Dame Edna Everage
- *RTL Samstag Nacht* (1993), series, Actor
- *Selling Hitler* (1993), as Rupert Murdoch
- *Joan Rivers: Abroad in London* (1992), as Dame Edna Everage
- *Dame Edna's Neighbourhood Watch* (1992), series, as Dame Edna
- *A Late Lunch With Sir Les* (1991), as Les Patterson
- *Dame Edna's Hollywood* (1991), series, as Dame Edna Everage
- *An Audience with Jackie Mason* (1990), Actor
- *A Night on Mount Edna* (1990), as Dame Edna Everage
- *Single Voices* (1990), series, as Sandy Stone · Writer
- *One More Audience with Dame Edna Everage* (1988), as Dame Edna Everage
- *The Dame Edna Experience* (1987), series, Actor
- *The Marsupials: The Howling III* (1987), as Academy Award Presenter
- *Les Patterson Saves the World* (1987), as Sir Les Patterson / Dame Edna Everage · Writer
- *An Aussie Audience with Dame Edna* (1986), as Dame Edna Everage / Sir Les Patterson / Self · Writer
- *Another Audience with Dame Edna Everage* (1984), as Dame Edna/Les Patterson · Writer
- *Royal Variety Performance 1984* (1984), Actor
- *Dr. Fischer of Geneva* (1984), as Richard Deane
- *A Birthday Tribute to Dame Edna Everage* (1984), as Dame Edna/Sir Les Patterson
- *Shock Treatment* (1981), as Bert Schnick
- *The Rocky Horror Treatment* (1981), as (archive footage)
- *A Toast to Melbourne* (1981), Actor
- *An Audience with Dame Edna Everage* (1980), as Dame Edna
- *Russell Harty* (1980), series, Actor
- *Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band* (1978), as Our Guests at Heartland
- *The Getting of Wisdom* (1977), as Rev. Strachey
- *Pleasure at Her Majesty's* (1976), as Edna Everage
- *The Great MacArthy* (1975), as Col Ball-Miller
- *Side by Side* (1975), as Rodney
- *Barry McKenzie Holds His Own* (1974), as Aunt Edna Everage / Dr. Meyer Delamphrey / Offensive Buck-toothed Englishman / Senator Douglas Manton · Writer
- *Percy's Progress* (1974), as Dr. Anderson / Australian TV Lady
- *The Adventures of Barry McKenzie* (1972), as Aunt Edna Everage / Hoot / Dr. DeLamphrey · Writer
- *The Naked Bunyip* (1970), as Edna Everage
- *The Bliss of Mrs. Blossom* (1968), as Mr. Wainwright
- *Bedazzled* (1967), as Envy
- *Omnibus* (1967), series, as Sir Les Patterson
- *The Wednesday Play* (1964), series, Actor
- *Le Bain Vorace (Dial P for Plughole)* (1954), Actor

## Gallery

- ![Barry Humphries at the The Lucky One World Premiere At Bondi Juction, Sydney, Australia (2012)](https://film.one/media/person/106546/gallery-359cb77bd544.jpg) Barry Humphries at the The Lucky One World Premiere At Bondi Juction, Sydney, Australia (2012) — Eva Rinaldi, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6d/Barry_Humphries_%287060371595%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Barry Humphries at the The Lucky One World Premiere At Bondi Juction, Sydney, Australia (2012)](https://film.one/media/person/106546/gallery-6f048c4bb5c8.jpg) Barry Humphries at the The Lucky One World Premiere At Bondi Juction, Sydney, Australia (2012) — Eva Rinaldi, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/da/Barry_Humphries_%287060377957%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Barry Humphries](https://film.one/media/person/106546/gallery-942e8c79366c.jpg) Barry Humphries — Image via TMDB
- ![Barry Humphries](https://film.one/media/person/106546/gallery-ca4348396a8a.jpg) Barry Humphries — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Other awards — 6 won

- Companion of the Order of Australia 2023: Companion of the Order of Australia (won)
- James Joyce Awards 2009: James Joyce Awards (won)
- Commander of the Order of the British Empire 2007: Commander of the Order of the British Empire (won)
- Centenary Medal 2001: Centenary Medal (won)
- Theatre World Special Award 2000: Theatre World Special Award (won)
- Officer of the Order of Australia 1982: Officer of the Order of Australia (won)

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/barry-humphries