John Waters: podcast appearances and interviews

John Samuel Waters Jr. was born on April 22, 1946. While he is widely known as an American filmmaker, actor, writer, and artist, he also serves as a pastor. Waters gained prominence in the early 1970s through his work on transgressive cult films such as Multiple Maniacs, Pink Flamingos, and Female Trouble. He authored and directed the comedy film Hairspray, which achieved notable success and was subsequently adapted into both a Broadway musical and a film. His filmography includes a diverse range of titles like Desperate Living, Polyester, Cry-Baby, Serial Mom, Pecker, and Cecil B. Demented, many characterized by elements of post-modern comedy and surrealism. In addition to his contributions to film, Waters has appeared as an actor in several movies, including Sweet and Lowdown, Mangus!, Excision, Suburban Gothic, and parts of the Child's Play franchise. He also hosted and produced the television series John Waters Presents Movies That Will Corrupt You. Beyond his work in film and television, Waters is a visual artist creating installations, photography, and sculpture. His spoken-word albums Carsick and Mr. Know-It-All earned him Grammy nominations. Waters received the honor of being named an officer of the French Order of Arts and Letters in 2018 and was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2023.