--- name: "John Waters" canonical: "https://film.one/person/john-waters-10367" fi1m_id: "john-waters-10367" imdb_id: "nm0000691" tmdb_id: 10367 wikidata_id: "Q314926" roles: ["Writer","Director"] born: "22 April 1946" reviewed_on_fi1m: 4 average_as: "writer" average_over: 0 updated: "2026-09-26T17:41:18.457080+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." --- # John Waters ## Identity John Waters - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/john-waters-10367 - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** john-waters-10367 - **IMDb ID:** nm0000691 - **TMDB ID:** 10367 - **Wikidata ID:** Q314926 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Waters, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q314926, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000691/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/10367 Writer and director. Born 22 April 1946 in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. ## Details - **Work:** Writer, Director - **Born:** 22 April 1946, Baltimore, Maryland, USA - **Active:** 1972–2007 - **Also known as:** John S. Waters, Джон С. Уотерс - **Titles on Fi1m:** 4: 3 acting, 1 directing - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1970s 64 (1), 1980s 85 (2), 2000s 72 (1) - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Waters, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q314926, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000691/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/10367 ## Coming up - *Vincent Price: What Keeps Us Alive* (2026-10-30) ## Fi1m on John Waters > John Waters's comedies give outrageous performers room to work, and we value the commitment he gets from them. Our patience runs shorter when the disgust outlasts the joke, or rough workmanship blunts the comedy. Divine takes charge in *Pink Flamingos* (1972), and John Waters's appetite for bad behaviour becomes easier to enjoy. We laughed at how completely Divine commits to the excess; the less rewarding stretches leave disgust to do all the work. Waters is its producer, writer and director, and his willingness to let performers push hard gives the comedy much of its appeal. We recommend it cautiously, for the cast rather than the reliability of the jokes. That company matters beyond a single film. Working with Baltimore regulars known as the Dreamlanders, including Divine and Mink Stole, Waters made exaggerated behaviour a recurring feature of his comedies. *Female Trouble* (1974) continued his work with Divine; *Polyester* (1981) marked a move towards wider audiences. By *Hairspray* (1988), the comedy had reached a mainstream audience through a satire of 1960s dance shows. He continued to satirise genres he liked, rather than treating their pleasures as something to be embarrassed by. The difficulty in *Pink Flamingos* is that exaggeration becomes the default, leaving too few changes of pace. David Lochary and Mink Stole match the broad acting style, but Waters's dialogue too often responds to an excessive idea by making it more excessive. He also serves as cinematographer and editor, and neither job is consistently well done. The awkward images do not always turn the performers' efforts into effective visual comedy, while the cuts arrive after a joke has given us everything it can. Other collaborators are more helpful. Production designer Vincent Peranio and costume designer Van Smith give *Pink Flamingos* a consistent look suited to people who have no wish to tone themselves down. Their work supports the performances without requiring anybody to become respectable, and it makes the camera's uncertain handling of those performances more frustrating. Waters understands the value of a committed company, even when his handling of a scene lets it down. Go to *Pink Flamingos* for Divine, rather than as a test of how much bad taste you can endure. ## Biography John Waters is an American filmmaker, writer, actor and artist. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, he began making short films in the late 1960s and rose to prominence with his transgressive cult features of the early 1970s. Waters wrote, directed, produced, edited and shot Pink Flamingos (1972), which starred Divine and members of his regular ensemble, the Dreamlanders. Subsequent films in the 1970s included Multiple Maniacs (1970), Female Trouble (1974) and Desperate Living (1977). His later work includes the comedies Polyester (1981), Hairspray (1988), Cry-Baby (1990), Serial Mom (1994), Pecker (1998) and Cecil B. Demented (2000). Waters has also appeared as an actor in several films and television series, performed in one-man shows and created visual art. *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, themoviedb.org.* ## On Fi1m (4) ### Performed in (3) - *Hairspray* (2007), Fi1m 72, as Flasher — [page](https://film.one/film/hairspray-2007.md) - *The Simpsons* (1989), Fi1m 88, as John (voice) — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-simpsons.md) - *Something Wild* (1986), Fi1m 82, as Used Car Guy — [page](https://film.one/film/something-wild.md) ### Directed (1) - *Pink Flamingos* (1972), Fi1m 64, Editor, Writer, Director of Photography, Director, Producer, Cinematography — [page](https://film.one/film/pink-flamingos.md) ## Complete filmography (98) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *Vincent Price: What Keeps Us Alive* (2026), Actor - *Kevin* (2026), series, as Armando (voice) - *Gays Against Guns* (2026), Actor - *Sarah Squirm: Live + in the Flesh* (2025), as Stage Manager - *Room Temperature* (2025), Thanks - *Marisa y Gomoso* (2025), Thanks - *As Time Goes By* (2024), Actor - *Lynch/Oz* (2023), as Host (Chapter 3: 'Kindred') (voice) - *Digman!* (2023), series, as Magnus (voice) - *Chucky* (2021), series, as Wendell Wilkins - *Helluva Boss* (2020), series, as Rolando (voice) - *Time Warp Vol. 3: Comedy and Camp* (2020), as Host - *Time Warp Vol. 2: Horror and Sci-Fi* (2020), as Host - *Time Warp Vol. 1: Midnight Madness* (2020), as Host - *Joel Calls Indie Film Type Dudes* (2020), Actor - *30/30 Vision: Three Decades of Strand Releasing* (2019), Director - *Sniffing Out ‘Polyester’* (2019), Thanks - *Permanent Green Light* (2019), Thanks - *Mugworth* (2018), as Sir Butler - *Liverspots and Astronots* (2018), series, as O-Dor - *Female Trouble: On-Set Footage* (2018), Actor - *Crime and Beauty: Making ‘Female Trouble’* (2018), Actor - *Explained* (2018), series, as Narrator (voice) - *FEUD* (2017), series, as William Castle - *Hairspray Live!* (2016), Associate Producer, Original Story - *Search Party* (2016), series, as Sheffield — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/tv/search-party-2016.md) - *Wall Writers* (2016), as Narrator (voice) - *Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip* (2015), as First Class Passenger - *The 1000 Eyes of Dr Maddin* (2015), Actor - *Kiddie Flamingos* (2015), Director, Writer - *Suburban Gothic* (2014), as Cornelius - *Clarence* (2014), series, as Captain Tom (voice) - *The Blacklist* (2013), series, as John Waters — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-blacklist.md) - *Excision* (2012), as William - *Mangus!* (2011), as Jesus Christ - *Fish Hooks* (2010), series, as Ezekiel Freshwater / Hair Man (voice), The Yeti Lobster (voice) - *Herschell Gordon Lewis: The Godfather of Gore* (2010), Actor - *Putty Hill* (2010), Thanks - *The Wild World of Ted V. Mikels* (2008), as Narrator - *The Junior Defenders* (2007), as Narrator - *Jessica the Hippo* (2007), as Narrator (Voice) - *An American Crime* (2007), Thanks - *Hairspray* (2007), as Flasher · Original Film Writer — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/hairspray-2007.md) - *Each Time I Kill* (2007), as Movie Watcher - *'Til Death Do Us Part* (2007), series, Actor - *This Filthy World* (2006), Screenplay - *Mommie Dearest: Joan Lives On* (2006), Actor - *Busby Berkeley's Kaleidoscopic Eyes* (2006), Actor - *Footlight Parade: Music for the Decades* (2006), Actor - *I, of the Cyclops* (2006), Actor - *Meet The Kuchar Brothers* (2006), Actor - *My Name Is Earl* (2005), series, as Walter Hamerick - *Seed of Chucky* (2004), as Pete Peters - *A Dirty Shame* (2004), Director, Writer - *Abby Singer* (2003), as John Waters (uncredited) - *Blood Feast 2: All U Can Eat* (2002), as The Reverend - *Welcome to Hollywood* (2000), as John Waters - *Cecil B. Demented* (2000), as Reporter · Director, Writer - *Sweet and Lowdown* (1999), as Mr. Haynes - *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit* (1999), series, as Pornmonger Man - *Pecker* (1998), as Pervert on Phone (voice) (uncredited) · Director, Screenplay - *Anarchy TV* (1998), Actor - *Whipped* (1998), Thanks - *E! True Hollywood Story* (1996), series, Actor - *Ballyhoo: The Hollywood Sideshow!* (1996), Actor - *God Save the Queens* (1995), Actor - *Family Album* (1994), series, as Vincent - *Serial Mom* (1994), as Ted Bundy (voice) (uncredited) · Director, Writer - *The Big Wet* (1993), as Narrator - *Eurotrash* (1993), series, Actor - *Frasier* (1993), series, as Roger (voice) — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/frasier.md) - *Homicide: Life on the Street* (1993), series, as R. Vincent Smith — Fi1m 89, [page](https://film.one/tv/homicide-life-on-the-street.md) - *HBO First Look* (1992), series, Actor - *Poison* (1991), Thanks - *Gastronomic Getaway* (1991), Actor - *Cry-Baby* (1990), Director, Writer - *The Simpsons* (1989), series, as John (voice) — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-simpsons.md) - *Homer and Eddie* (1989), as Robber #1 - *Hairspray* (1988), as Dr. Fredrickson · Director, Co-Producer, Writer - *Way USA!* (1988), Actor - *21 Jump Street* (1987), series, as Mr. Bean - *Something Wild* (1986), as Used Car Guy — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/something-wild.md) - *The Ballad of Sexual Dependency* (1985), Actor - *Nuart Theatre No Smoking PSA* (1982), Director - *Polyester* (1981), Director, Producer, Writer - *Desperate Living* (1977), Director, Writer, Additional Photography, Producer - *Female Trouble* (1976), Director, Producer, Director of Photography, Editor, Writer - *Pink Flamingos* (1972), as Mr. J (narration) (uncredited) · Director, Producer, Director of Photography, Editor, Writer — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/pink-flamingos.md) - *Multiple Maniacs* (1970), Original Music Composer, Director, Writer, Producer, Director of Photography, Editor - *The Diane Linkletter Story* (1970), Editor, Producer, Director, Director of Photography, Writer - *Mondo Trasho* (1969), as Reporter (voice) (uncredited) · Original Music Composer, Editor, Director of Photography, Producer, Writer, Director - *Eat Your Makeup* (1968), Director, Writer, Producer, Director of Photography, Editor - *Dorothy, the Kansas City Pot Head* (1968), Director, Writer - *Roman Candles* (1967), Director, Writer, Producer, Director of Photography, Editor - *Hag in a Black Leather Jacket* (1964), Director, Writer, Producer, Director of Photography, Editor - *Baltigore*, as The Broker - *Mamie Exposed! The Life and Loves of the Last Blonde Bombshell*, Actor - *Liarmouth: A Feel-Bad Romance*, Director ## Gallery - ![John Waters at the 50th Annual Chaplin Awards Gala, Alice Tully Hall, 2025](https://film.one/media/person/390851/gallery-e8b8e4f09c0c.jpg) John Waters at the 50th Annual Chaplin Awards Gala, Alice Tully Hall, 2025 — PhilipRomanoPhoto, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/32/JohnWaters-byPhilipRomano.jpg/1280px-JohnWaters-byPhilipRomano.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![From Baltimore M.D. 1995](https://film.one/media/person/390851/gallery-449b69b0f446.jpg) From Baltimore M.D. 1995 — John Mathew Smith & www.celebrity-photos.com from Laurel Maryland, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/aa/John_Waters_1995.jpg/1280px-John_Waters_1995.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![John Waters at the Edinburgh International Film Festival (2007)](https://film.one/media/person/390851/gallery-feadae1581c4.jpg) John Waters at the Edinburgh International Film Festival (2007) — Al from Edinburgh, Scotland, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7f/John_Waters_at_EIFF.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Waters at Pen America/Free Expression Literature, May 2014. © Ed Lederman/PEN American Center](https://film.one/media/person/390851/gallery-e85c6a6889b1.jpg) Waters at Pen America/Free Expression Literature, May 2014. © Ed Lederman/PEN American Center — PEN American Center, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bf/John_Waters_2014_%28cropped%29.jpg/1280px-John_Waters_2014_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![John Waters](https://film.one/media/person/390851/gallery-37321a090c6d.jpg) John Waters — Image via TMDB - ![John Waters](https://film.one/media/person/390851/gallery-df89cc53aa65.jpg) John Waters — Image via TMDB - ![John Waters](https://film.one/media/person/390851/gallery-6eb2a8fa26cf.jpg) John Waters — Image via TMDB - ![Governor Moore and First Lady Dawn Flythe Moore attend the Baltimore Museum of Art Gala by Joe Andrucyk at Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Dr. Baltimore (2024)](https://film.one/media/person/390851/gallery-3fa4d05a1597.jpg) Governor Moore and First Lady Dawn Flythe Moore attend the Baltimore Museum of Art Gala by Joe Andrucyk at Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Dr. Baltimore (2024) — Maryland GovPics, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/91/Governor_Wes_Moore_and_John_Waters_at_the_Baltimore_Museum_of_Art_%2854164162775%29.jpg/1280px-Governor_Wes_Moore_and_John_Waters_at_the_Baltimore_Museum_of_Art_%2854164162775%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![John Waters at the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival premiere of Squeezebox!](https://film.one/media/person/390851/gallery-3b4d79f930ef.jpg) John Waters at the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival premiere of Squeezebox! — David Shankbone, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/48/John_Waters_at_the_2008_Tribeca_Film_Festival.JPG/1280px-John_Waters_at_the_2008_Tribeca_Film_Festival.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![John Waters](https://film.one/media/person/390851/gallery-da02e645b966.jpg) John Waters — Image via TMDB ## Awards ### Other awards — 2 won, 1 nominated - Grammy Award for Best Audio Book, Narration & Storytelling Recording 2020: Grammy Award for Best Audio Book, Narration & Storytelling Recording (nominated) - Officer of Arts and Letters 2018: Officer of Arts and Letters (won) - GLAAD Stephen F. Kolzak Award 2004: GLAAD Stephen F. Kolzak Award (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/john-waters-10367