The wonderfully eccentric, snaggle-toothed Edith Massey was born
in New York City and raised in an orphanage in Denver, Colorado
before running away to Hollywood as a teenager. She met director
John Waters while working as a barmaid and running her own
thrift shop, Edith's Shopping Bag at Fells Point, Baltimore, Maryland in
the late 1960s. Captivated by her effervescent charm, Waters cast her in
Multiple Maniacs (1970) as
Jesus's mother. Her next role was as Mama Edie in
Pink Flamingos (1972). She appeared in many of Waters' earlier films, leading
up to
Polyester (1981), as well as being the subject of a biographical short film,
Love Letter to Edie (1975).
After her role as Queen Carlotta in
Desperate Living (1977), Massey
embarked on a singing career which led to a nationwide tour, usually
performing cover songs including "Big Girls Don't Cry" and "Punks, Get
Off the Grass" Fellow Dreamlander
Cookie Mueller occasionally performed as a backup singer. Edith
Massey passed away in October 1984.
Mutants in Paradise(1984)as Dr. Durchfall
Polyester(1981)as Cuddles Kovinsky
John Cougar Mellencamp: This Time(1980)as Girlfriend
Desperate Living(1977)as Queen Carlotta
Female Trouble(1974)as Aunt Ida
Divine Waters(1985)
Raging Hormones(1999)
My Breakfast with Blassie(1983)as Self
John Waters in Charm City(1981)as Self
Evening(1976)as Self
Edith's Shopping Bag(1976)as Self
Love Letter to Edie(1975)as Self
RuPaul's Drag Race(2009)as Self
I Am Divine(2013)as Self
Midnight Movies: From the Margin to the Mainstream(2005)as Self
In Bad Taste(2000)as Self
Divine Trash(1998)as Self
