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Character Actor and John Waters Muse Divine.

It's Divine, the late leading lady of John Waters' films. Born Harris Glen Milstead, the 300-pound transvestite passed away in March of 1988, shortly after starring in John Waters' first big budget studio film, "Hairspray." He was 42. Divine was an integral part of Waters' ensemble cast, appearing in all his earlier films except "Desperate Living." Divine and Waters knew each other from childhood. It was Waters' movie "Pink Flamingoes" that made Divine famous, because he ate dog feces (yes, real feces) at the end of the film. Divine also made 2 films independent of Waters, playing a male gangster in "Trouble in Mind," and Tab Hunter's love interest in "Lust in the Dust." Divine spoke with Terry on February 23 of 1988.

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Other segments from the episode on April 15, 1994

Fresh Air with Terry Gross, April 15, 1994: Interview with John Waters; Interview with Divine; Interview with John Waters; Review of Beck's album "Mellow Gold."
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08:46

John Waters' "Bad" Taste.

Filmmaker John Waters. We replay one of his earlier conversations with Terry, shortly after he made the cult film "Polyester," starring Divine and Edith Massey. "Polyester" was Waters' first studio film, and the first of his movies that didn't carry a self imposed X-rating.

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15:41

John Waters Discusses "Serial Mom."

We feature a new interview with John Waters on the day his latest film, "Serial Mom," is released. After the low-budget "Polyester," Waters went to Hollywood to make the big-budget films "Hairspray" and "Cry Baby." Waters still lives in Baltimore, where he was born. "Serial Mom" stars Kathleen Turner and Sam Waterston. Waters is also the author of several books, including "Shock Value" and "Trash Trio."

Interview

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Transcripts are created on a rush deadline, and accuracy and availability may vary. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Please be aware that the authoritative record of Fresh Air interviews and reviews are the audio recordings of each segment.

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09:40

Ricki Lake Brings Attitude to the Big Screen

The actress had her big break in John Waters' movie Hairspray, as the teen star Tracy Turnblad. Lake is larger than many of her peers, but has successfully landed roles written for skinny women. She joins Fresh Air to discuss her early influences, her post-Hairspray work, and her relationship with the late drag queen Divine.

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09:33

The Best and Worst Movies of 1988

Film critic Stephen Schiff talks with Terry Gross about this years movies. He says 1988 was an unusually good year for American films, though his favorite Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, by Spanish director Pedro Almodovar. His least favorite movie was Willow.

Interview
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04:01

A Tamer John Waters.

Film critic Stephen Schiff reviews "Hairspray," the latest film by director and writer John Waters. "Hairspray," a satire of the teen dance shows of the early 60s, follows a long line of wildly eccentric films like "Polyester," "Pink Flamingos," and "Female Trouble." The cast includes Divine, Debbie Harry, Pia Zadora and Sonny Bono.

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