Thousands gathered at the Sydney Opera House on Friday to hear
tributes to the famed comedian, who died aged 89 in April.
Humphries was "one of the funniest people in the world," Elton
John said in a video message which also praised his generosity
and kindness.
"It is sad that we won't be seeing him again but we have so many
memories of him," he said. "His books, his TV appearances, and
the wonderful jokes and wonderful kindness that he showed to me
and everyone."
Humphries, born and raised in Melbourne, rose to fame in Britain
in the 1970s playing a host of Australian caricatures including
Dame Edna, repulsive drunk diplomat Les Patterson and Sandy
Stone, a decrepit rambling senior.
In character as the snobbish Dame Edna, Humphries surprised then
Prince Charles and wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, in their
private box at the 2013 Royal Variety Performance show, only to
leave moments later, saying she had been offered a better seat.
"I suspect that all those who appeared on stage or on TV with
Barry’s Dame Edna, or who found her appearing at the back of the
royal box, will have shared that unique sensation where fear and
fun combined,” Charles said in a message read out by Employment
Minister Tony Burke to laughter from the audience.
For media mogul Rupert Murdoch, another Australian who made his
name and fortune overseas, Humphries' character of Les Patterson
was a "living lesson" in how not to behave, albeit one some
ended up emulating.
"Your personal courage still resonates, your creativity still
sparks ours, your intellect is still a beacon, you are a man of
many parts and a part of many lives," he said in a video
message.
(Reporting by Lewis Jackson; Editing by Christian Schmollinger)
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