John Waters
John Samuel Waters Jr. (born April 22, 1946) is an American filmmaker, writer, actor, and artist. He rose to fame in the early 1970s for his transgressive cult films, including Multiple Maniacs (1970), Pink Flamingos (1972) and Female Trouble (1974). Waters wrote and directed the comedy film Hairspray (1988), which was later adapted into a hit Broadway musical and a 2007 musical film. Other films he has written and directed include Desperate Living (1977), Polyester (1981), Cry-Baby (1990), Serial Mom (1994), Pecker (1998), and Cecil B. Demented (2000). His films contain elements of post-modern comedy and surrealism.
As an actor, Waters has appeared in Sweet and Lowdown (1999), 'Til Death Do Us Part (2007), Mangus! (2011), Excision (2012), Suburban Gothic (2014), and has appeared in the Child's Play franchise with Seed of Chucky (2004) and third season of the television series Chucky (2024). He hosted and produced the television series John Waters Presents Movies That Will Corrupt You (2006). Throughout his career, Waters has often collaborated with actor and drag queen Divine and his regular cast of the Dreamlanders. More recently, he performs in his touring one-man show This Filthy World.
Waters also works as a visual artist and across different media, such as installations, photography, and sculpture. The audiobooks he narrated for his books Carsick and Mr. Know-It-All were nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album in 2015 and 2020, respectively. In 2018, Waters was named an officer of the Order of Arts and Letters in France. He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2023.
Acting
TV
The Simpsons
as John (voice)
1989
TV
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
as Pornmonger Man
1999
TV
Chucky
as Wendell Wilkins
2021
TV
The Blacklist
as John Waters
2013
Movie
Hairspray
as Flasher
2007
Movie
Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip
as First Class Passenger
2015
Movie
Seed of Chucky
as Pete Peters
2004
Movie
Jackass Number Two
as Self
2006
TV
My Name Is Earl
as Walter Hamerick
2005
TV
Frasier
as Roger (voice)
1993
Movie
Serial Mom
as Ted Bundy (voice) (uncredited)
1994
TV
The Daily Show
as Self - Guest
1996
TV
The Daily Show
as Self
1996
Movie
Excision
as William
2012
Movie
Pink Flamingos
as Mr. J (narration) (uncredited)
1976
Movie
Sweet and Lowdown
as Mr. Haynes
1999
TV
Saturday Night Live
as Self - Cameo (uncredited)
1975
Movie
Hairspray
as Dr. Fredrickson
1988
Movie
Something Wild
as Used Car Guy
1986
Movie
This Film Is Not Yet Rated
as Self - Director of 'A Dirty Shame'
2006
TV
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
as Self - Guest
2015
TV
Clarence
as Captain Tom (voice)
2014
Movie
Cecil B. Demented
as Reporter
2000
TV
The Colbert Report
as Self - Guest
2005
Crew
Movie
Hairspray
Original Film Writer
2007
Movie
Cry-Baby
Director
1990
Movie
An American Crime
Thanks
2007
Movie
Serial Mom
Director
1994
Movie
Pink Flamingos
Editor
1976
Movie
Hairspray
Director
1988
Movie
A Dirty Shame
Director
2004
Movie
Cecil B. Demented
Director
2000
Movie
Female Trouble
Director
1976
Movie
Pecker
Director
1998
Movie
Polyester
Director
1981
Movie
Hairspray Live!
Associate Producer
2016