Out in Film: John Waters

Idol worship: John Waters, filmmaker/bad taste aficionado/renaissance man.
- What he's known for: His subversive, transgressive, highly influential films that aim to shock and appall as well as make you laugh (and maybe even think a little).
- Choice films: Midnight movie classic Pink Flamingos, Female Trouble, Desperate Living (a.k.a., his Trash Trilogy) and Polyester (with Odorama!), modern favorites Hairspray, Cry-Baby and Serial Mom.
- And he acts too: An antique shop owner who brings out the "Homer Phobia" on The Simpsons; sleazy reporter Pete Peters in Seed of Chucky; the flasher who lives next door in the recent remake of Hairspray.
- What else has he done: Author of several books, creator of two eclectic compilation albums, frequent "talking head" expert on cult and queer cinema, artist who has had his work displayed in galleries and museum around the world, subject of the documentary This Filthy World.
- Creative influences: Personally sites William Castle, Liberace, Jayne Mansfield, Russ Meyer and Douglas Sirk, among others.
- Bet you didn't know: His signature pencil-thin moustache is an homage to Little Richard; subscribes to over 80 magazines; is an avid true-crime buff.
- Yes, it's true: He was kicked out of NYU for smoking reefer; his first films were screened in rented churches; has one of John Wayne Gacy's paintings hanging in his guest room "so people don't stay too long".
- Side jobs: Host of the TV shows John Waters Presents Movies That Will Corrupt You on here! TV and 'Til Death Do Us Part on Court TV.
- Can we quote you on that: "If you can make someone laugh who's dead set against you, that's the first step to winning them over to your side."
- And another thing: "I had more fun when it was illegal to be gay."
- Also known as: The Bard of Baltimore, The Master of Sleaze, The Pope of Trash, The Prince of Puke, The Pube King (some self-anointed).
- What is he doing now: Working on his next project, a children's Christmas movie titled Fruitcake (we can't wait).
- Where you can learn more: His biography, Filthy: The Weird World of John Watersby Robrt L. Pela.

Links via Imdb.com, hereTV.com, CourtTV.com and Amazon.com.