US cult director John Waters, who earned the nickname “Pope of Trash” with his shrill films, has been honored with a star in Hollywood. The 77-year-old unveiled the plaque on the “Walk of Fame” in front of cheering spectators. Here on the sidewalk he is now closer to the gutter than ever before, the filmmaker joked. In his speech he recalled his first visit to Los Angeles. In 1970, he crossed Hollywood Boulevard here without permission and immediately received a parking ticket.
Waters said he wanted to dedicate this star award to his parents, Pat and John Waters. Although they were “horrified” by his early and some later films, they supported him in continuing. “They probably thought he couldn’t do anything other than go into show business,” the director joked.
Waters, with the characteristic, wafer-thin mustache, is known for flashy films such as “Hairspray”, “Polyester” and “Cry-Baby”. The gay filmmaker filmed with the transvestite Divine several times. In the film musical “Hairspray” (1988), for example, he played the heavyweight Edna Turnblad. Divine’s death shortly after the “Hairspray” premiere marked the end of Waters’ era of wild drag comedies. Perhaps Divine could be honored with a star on the Walk of Fame next year, Waters suggested in his speech.
The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles is currently dedicating a major show to Waters. The exhibition “John Waters: Pope of Trash”, with more than 400 works from his film work, is scheduled to be on display in the museum until August 2024.
