John Waters Biography

Fast Facts

• Is a supporter of gay rights, speaking out about gay pride at Gay Pride parades and through other venues
• Received the Filmmaker on the Edge Award at the 1999 Provincetown International Film Festival
• Made $50 dollars a week as a youth performing puppet shows at the birthday parties of neighborhood children and other events
• Quote: "I pride myself on the fact that my work has no socially redeeming value․"
• Quote: "If you can make someone laugh who's dead set against you, that's the first step to winning them over to your side․"
• Known for depicting shocking subject matter, violence and gore, but combining these elements with a sense of humor
• All of his films are set in Baltimore and often include actresses Patricia Hearst and Mink Stole
• Has a collection of over 8,000 books in his Baltimore home
• Before he was old enough to buy tickets, he would watch adult-only films playing at the local drive-in through a set of binoculars
• Fondly remembers seeing real blood on the seat of a wrecked car as a child while on a visit to a scrap yard