Career Timeline of Barry Humphries: Major Achievements and Milestones
How Barry Humphries built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
John Barry Humphries was a multifaceted Australian entertainer, celebrated as a comedian, actor, author, and satirist. He gained international recognition for his iconic stage and television characters, Dame Edna Everage, a flamboyant housewife superstar, and Sir Les Patterson, a boorish cultural attaché. Humphries showcased his talent across various platforms, including stage productions, films, and television programs, leaving an indelible mark on the world of comedy and entertainment.
1952: Dada-Influenced Recordings
From 1952 to 1953, Barry Humphries participated in a series of Dada-influenced recordings in Melbourne, including "Wubbo Music," considered one of Australia's earliest experimental music recordings.
1953: Dada-Influenced Recordings
From 1952 to 1953, Barry Humphries participated in a series of Dada-influenced recordings in Melbourne, including "Wubbo Music," considered one of Australia's earliest experimental music recordings.
December 1955: Premiere of "Olympic Hostess"
On 13 December 1955, the first stage sketch featuring Mrs. Norm Everage, called "Olympic Hostess", premiered at Melbourne University's Union Theatre, marking the debut of what would become Humphries' best-known character, Edna Everage.
1956: Character Development
In 1956, Peter O'Shaughnessy nurtured and promoted the character of Edna Everage, which allowed the character to flourish. The character of Sandy Stone also took shape as a presence on the stage.
1956: Dame Edna Everage Conceived
In 1956, the persona of Dame Edna Everage was originally conceived by Barry Humphries.
September 1957: Appearance in Waiting for Godot
In September 1957, Humphries appeared as Estragon in Australia's first production of Samuel Beckett's 'Waiting for Godot' at the Arrow Theatre in Melbourne.
1957: Move to Sydney and Phillip Street Theatre
In 1957, Humphries moved to Sydney and joined the Phillip Street Theatre, where he revived "Olympic Hostess", launching a fifty-year career for Edna Everage.
1958: Collaboration and First Commercial Recording
In 1958, Humphries collaborated with Peter O'Shaughnessy on the Rock'n'Reel Revue and made his first commercial recording, the EP Wild Life in Suburbia.
1960: Role in Oliver! London
In 1960, Barry Humphries had his first major break on the British stage in the original London production of Oliver! as Mr Sowerberry.
1962: First One-Man Revue
In 1962, Barry Humphries presented 'A Nice Night's Entertainment', his first one-man satirical stage revue, though it was only performed in Australia.
1962: A Nice Night's Entertainment
In 1962, Barry Humphries' first London one-man show, A Nice Night's Entertainment, received negative reviews.
1963: Role in Oliver! Broadway
In 1963, Humphries reprised his role as Mr. Sowerberry in the Broadway production of Oliver!
1965: Another Nice Night's Entertainment
In 1965, Barry Humphries created 'Excuse I: Another Nice Night's Entertainment', another one-man revue performed only in Australia.
1966: Contribution to The Late Show
From 1966 to 1967, Humphries contributed to BBC Television's 'The Late Show'.
1967: Starred as Fagin
In 1967, Barry Humphries starred as Fagin in the Piccadilly Theatre's revival of Oliver!
1967: First Film Role
In 1967, Humphries secured his first film role as "Envy" in the movie 'Bedazzled', thanks to his friendship with Cook and Moore.
1968: Performance in Treasure Island
In 1968, Humphries performed with Spike Milligan in the production of 'Treasure Island' as Long John Silver, which he described as 'one of the strangest and most exhilarating experiences of my career'.
1968: Return to Australia for Revue
In 1968, Humphries returned to Australia to tour his one-man revue 'Just a Show'.
1969: Just a Show Staged
In 1969, Barry Humphries staged Just a Show, which polarized the critics but was a hit with audiences and became the basis of a growing cult following in the UK.
1970: Movie Debut
In 1970, Edna Everage made her movie debut in John B. Murray's 'The Naked Bunyip'.
1971: Filming The Adventures of Barry McKenzie
In 1971, Barry Humphries co-wrote the script and played three different parts in 'The Adventures of Barry McKenzie'.
1971: A Load of Olde Stuffe Show
In 1971, Barry Humphries further developed the character of Edna Everage in his show, A Load of Olde Stuffe.
1972: Collaboration with Nigel Butterley
In 1972, Humphries collaborated with composer Nigel Butterley to produce 'First Day Covers', a collection of poems about suburbia read by Edna Everage with accompanying music.
1974: At Least You Can Say You've Seen It
From 1974 to 1975, Barry Humphries created shows, including At Least You Can Say You've Seen It.
1974: UK Sex Comedy
In 1974, Humphries appeared in the UK sex comedy Percy's Progress and Bruce Beresford's Barry McKenzie Holds His Own, in which Edna was made a dame by then Australian prime minister Gough Whitlam.
1975: Appearance in Side by Side
In 1975, Humphries appeared in 'Side by Side'.
1975: Appearance in The Great Macarthy
In 1975, Humphries appeared in David Baker's 'The Great Macarthy'.
1976: London Production Housewife, Superstar!
In 1976, Barry Humphries achieved widespread critical and audience acclaim in Britain with his London production, Housewife, Superstar! at the Apollo Theatre.
1977: Dame Edna on Saturday Night Live
In 1977, Dame Edna guest-starred on the U.S. sketch comedy and variety show Saturday Night Live.
1977: Cameo as Edna
In 1977, Humphries had a cameo as Edna in the Robert Stigwood musical film Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band and appeared in The Getting of Wisdom.
1977: Housewife, Superstar! in New York City
In 1977, Humphries took Housewife, Superstar! to New York City, but it was a disastrous repeat of his experience with Just a Show.
1978: Isn't It Pathetic at His Age
In 1978, Humphries created his next show Isn't It Pathetic at His Age, a title derived from his mother's sarcastic remarks.
1981: Part in Shock Treatment
In 1981, Humphries played Bert Schnick in Shock Treatment, the sequel to The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
1982: Appearance in Comedy Performance Films
In 1982, Humphries featured in various roles in comedy performance films including 'The Secret Policeman's Other Ball'.
1985: Featured role in Dr. Fischer of Geneva
In 1985, Humphries played Richard Deane in Dr. Fischer of Geneva.
December 1987: BBC Radio 4 Today
In December 1987, Humphries appeared on BBC Radio 4 program Today in a recorded interview, playing both Dame Edna and Sir Les.
1987: Starring in Les Patterson Saves the World
In 1987, Barry Humphries starred as Les Patterson in 'Les Patterson Saves the World'.
1987: Appearance in Howling III
In 1987, Humphries appeared in 'Howling III'.
1989: Appearance in Comedy Performance Films
In 1989, Humphries featured in various roles in comedy performance films including 'A Night of Comic Relief 2'.
1991: Golden Rose of Montreux
In 1991, Barry Humphries won the Golden Rose of Montreux for A Night on Mount Edna and wrote and starred in The Life and Death of Sandy Stone.
1991: Dame Edna's Hollywood
In 1991, Dame Edna's Hollywood series of chat-show specials was filmed in the U.S.
1991: Cameo as Rupert Murdoch
In 1991, Humphries had a cameo as Rupert Murdoch in the miniseries Selling Hitler.
1992: Dame Edna's Neighbourhood Watch
In 1992, Dame Edna's Neighbourhood Watch television show was released.
1992: Publication of 'More Please'
In 1992, Humphries' award-winning autobiography, 'More Please', was published, in which he discussed creating a character similar to Edna while touring with the MTC and acknowledged the influence of his mentor, Peter O'Shaughnessy.
1994: Role in Immortal Beloved
In 1994, Humphries played Count Metternich in Immortal Beloved.
1995: Three Role Cameo
In 1995, Humphries had a three-role cameo in Philippe Mora's horror satire Pterodactyl Woman from Beverly Hills.
1996: Dame Edna's Work Experience
In 1996, Dame Edna's Work Experience television show was released.
1996: Role in The Leading Man
In 1996, Humphries appeared in 'The Leading Man'.
1997: Dame Edna Kisses It Better
In 1997, Dame Edna Kisses It Better television show was released.
1997: Appearance in Spice World
In 1997, Humphries appeared in the Spice Girls' film Spice World and the Australian feature Welcome to Woop Woop.
1997: Reprised Role of Fagin
In 1997, Humphries reprised the role of Fagin in Cameron Mackintosh's award-winning revival of Oliver! at the London Palladium.
1998: Barry Humphries' Flashbacks
In 1998, Barry Humphries presented the ABC social history series Barry Humphries' Flashbacks.
2000: Dame Edna: The Royal Tour wins Tony Award
In 2000, Barry Humphries' show Dame Edna: The Royal Tour won a Special Tony Award for a Live Theatrical Event.
2001: Two National Broadway Theatre Awards
In 2001, Barry Humphries won two National Broadway Theatre Awards for "Best Play" and for "Best Actor".
2002: Appearance in Nicholas Nickleby
In 2002, Humphries appeared in 'Nicholas Nickleby'.
2003: Satirical advice column in Vanity Fair
In 2003, Dame Edna was invited by Vanity Fair magazine to write a satirical advice column, which was later discontinued.
2003: Dame Edna Live at the Palace
In 2003, Dame Edna's most recent television special was Dame Edna Live at the Palace.
2003: Getting Back to My Roots (and Other Suckers) Australian Tour
In 2003, Humphries toured Australia with his show Getting Back to My Roots (and Other Suckers).
2003: Voice Acting in Finding Nemo
In 2003, Humphries voiced the shark Bruce in the Pixar animated film Finding Nemo.
2005: Da Kath & Kim Code
In late 2005, Barry Humphries starred in the Kath & Kim telemovie Da Kath & Kim Code.
2007: The Dame Edna Treatment
In 2007, Humphries hosted The Dame Edna Treatment, a comedy chat show on the UK's ITV.
March 2008: Judging panel on I'd Do Anything
In March 2008, Humphries joined the judging panel on the BBC talent show I'd Do Anything.
2011: Role in The Hobbit
During 2011, Humphries played the Great Goblin in Peter Jackson's The Hobbit.
March 2012: Retirement announcement
In March 2012, Humphries announced his retirement from live entertainment.
July 2012: "Eat, Pray, Laugh!" Farewell Tour begins
In July 2012, Humphries began his Australian "Farewell Tour", titled "Eat, Pray, Laugh!", in Canberra.
2012: Retirement from Live Performance
In 2012, after a career of over sixty years as Dame Edna, Barry Humphries announced his retirement from live performance.
February 2013: "Eat, Pray, Laugh!" Farewell Tour concludes
In February 2013, Humphries concluded his Australian "Farewell Tour", titled "Eat, Pray, Laugh!" in Perth, although it was extended until 10 February.
May 2013: Joining Jack Irish cast
In May 2013, Humphries joined the cast of the Australian telemovie series, Jack Irish.
October 2013: Eat Pray Laugh! opens in UK
In October 2013, "Eat Pray Laugh!" opened in the United Kingdom at the Milton Keynes Theatre prior to a season of shows at the London Palladium and a national tour.
2013: Appearance in Chalky documentary
In 2013, Humphries appeared in the documentary Chalky about Michael White.
2014: Appeared as Justice Loder
In 2014, Barry Humphries appeared as Justice Loder in the Jack Irish "Dead Point" episode.
2015: Voiced Wombo the Wombat
In 2015, Barry Humphries voiced the role of Wombo the Wombat in Blinky Bill the Movie.
August 2016: Weimar Republic Cabaret
In August 2016, Humphries emceed a program of Weimar Republic cabaret songs performed by Meow Meow and accompanied by the Australian Chamber Orchestra.
2016: Dual Role in Absolutely Fabulous
In 2016, Barry Humphries appeared in a dual role in Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie as Charlie and Dame Edna.
July 2018: Weimar Republic Cabaret
In July 2018, Humphries emceed a program of Weimar Republic cabaret songs performed by Meow Meow and accompanied by the Aurora Orchestra.
