John Waters is a well-known American film director, actor, writer, and artist who produced a string of independent films in the 1970s, gaining national attention as the king of transgressive cult films. He is also an art collector with a diverse range of interests and continues to produce cutting-edge and controversial work.
As a familiar presence in the American film world, John Waters is known for his ability to produce esoteric works that capture the imagination of a wide range of fans across the country. Easily recognizable by his thin frame and distinctive pencil-thin moustache, Waters was the force behind bringing a number of eclectic performers to the attention of mainstream theater audiences, as well as producing a number of works which are considered film d ‘art. with lasting appeal.
Born John Samuel Waters, Jr. on April 22, 1946, Waters began his interest in theater and performing at an early age. His early work was putting on puppet shows loosely based on the popular Punch and Judy but incorporated a much more aggressive approach. Waters also showed an interest in films that tended to be cutting edge in both shooting techniques and content. Given her first 8mm camera on his 16th birthday, there was no doubt that John Waters would become a director.
Entering NYU during the turbulent decade of the 1960s, John Waters quickly became part of a crowd dedicated to the progression of the visual arts, including film, theater and art exhibitions. In January 1966, Waters and a group of friends were expelled from the university after they were caught smoking marijuana. Undeterred, Waters set up shop in Baltimore, Maryland, and began work on assembling a roster of eclectic artists who would appear in his film productions. One of the key players on the roster was Glenn Milstead, who would later become known as Divine. Other notable artists who began their careers with Waters include celebrated underground celebrities such as Mink Stole, Mary Vivian Pearce and Edith Massey.
For the remainder of the decade and into the 1970s, John Waters produced a string of independent films distributed by New Line Cinema. During this period, Waters began to gain national attention as the king of transgressive cult films. Among some of his most celebrated works are the films Hairspray and Polyester, both of which served as vehicles for Divine and which featured mainstream actors such as Sonny Bono, Deborah Harry and Tab Hunter in the cast.
Over the years, John Waters has also worked as an actor, writer, visual and character artist. Cameo appearances in several films, as well as appearances in documentaries and television shows have helped establish Waters as a highly visible celebrity. Also known as an art collector with a diverse range of interests across styles and schools, Waters continues to produce cutting-edge and controversial work while maintaining a presence in the mainstream entertainment industry.
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