John Waters Quotes

Powerful John Waters for Daily Growth

About John Waters

John Waters, an eccentric and provocative American filmmaker, writer, and artist, was born on April 22, 1946, in Baltimore, Maryland. Known for his transgressive and campy style, he emerged as a pivotal figure in independent cinema, defying conventions and pushing the boundaries of taste. Raised in a Catholic family, Waters' early influences came from the B-movies he watched on television and the underground culture he encountered in Baltimore. He developed a fascination with lowbrow aesthetics, which would later become the cornerstone of his unique filmmaking style. After graduating from Towson University in 1969, Waters founded the Dreamland Films production company, alongside his friends and future collaborators, David Lochary, Vincent Peranio, and Mary Vivian Pearce. Together they created a series of underground films that were characterized by their outrageous humor, bizarre characters, and satirical takes on American society. In 1972, Waters released his breakout film "Pink Flamingos," starring Divine, who would become one of the most iconic figures in Waters' oeuvre. The movie, a camp masterpiece, earned notoriety for its transgressive themes and shocking imagery. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Waters continued to push the limits of cinematic expression with films like "Female Trouble," "Multiple Maniacs," and "Polyester." In 1988, he achieved mainstream success with "Hairspray," a film that would later be adapted into a Broadway musical and a Hollywood remake. Waters' work continues to challenge societal norms while celebrating the outsider and the overlooked. His unique vision and unapologetic approach have cemented his status as an influential figure in American independent cinema.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"If you go home with someone and they don't have books, don't fuck them."

This quote by John Waters suggests that intellectual curiosity and a love for knowledge are important qualities in a partner. The presence of books in someone's home is often seen as an indicator of these traits – someone who values learning and self-improvement, and encourages the same in their relationships. Essentially, the quote implies that such intellectual and emotional depth is essential for a fulfilling relationship.


"The love that dare not speak its name is shouting it aloud. I am talking, of course, about your mother."

This quote by John Waters is a witty play on words referencing Oscar Wilde's phrase "the love that dare not speak its name," which was used to describe homosexuality in Victorian England. In this context, Waters humorously redefines the phrase to imply a loud and open expression of love towards one's mother, emphasizing the strong bond and deep affection many have for their mothers. It can be seen as a commentary on societal norms and expectations surrounding expressions of love, particularly between family members, while also maintaining a satirical tone.


"I'm very interested in things that are outré, grotesque, funny, and disturbing – the more the better."

This quote by John Waters highlights his fascination with unusual, extreme, humorous, and uncomfortable subjects or situations. He finds these aspects intriguing and seeks them out in art, culture, or life experiences. It suggests a penchant for the unconventional, the taboo, and the thought-provoking, as well as an appreciation for the juxtaposition of humor and darkness that can often be found in such subjects.


"I would rather live my life as if there were no God than to live it as if there were a mean one."

This quote by John Waters suggests that he values living authentically, with kindness and compassion towards others, over adhering to a conception of a judgmental or unkind deity. In essence, the quote implies that it's more meaningful for him to live a life guided by love and empathy rather than fear or subservience to an imagined higher power who may be perceived as cruel or malicious.


"The best thing to do with a problem is to take it by the hand and shake it hard until it goes away."

John Waters' quote suggests an active, assertive approach to dealing with problems. Instead of passively waiting for them to resolve themselves, we should confront them directly, exerting our effort and determination to make them disappear. It highlights the importance of taking control of situations rather than letting issues linger or escalate.


I like film books at the bottom of the barrel and art books at the top. 'The Ghastly One,' by Jimmy McDonough, is a hilarious biography of one of the most hideous directors who ever picked up a movie camera - Andy Milligan.

- John Waters

Top, Movie, Directors, Hilarious

The nightlife in Baltimore is very mixed. Any gay people I know go to the hipster bars; they don't go to the gay bars. Start your night at the Club Charles, and then you can meet people to go other places. The Charles has been Baltimore's favourite cool hipster bar forever.

- John Waters

Other, Been, Very, Bars

When I was young, there were bars called the 'Hungry Hole,' and in those same neighbourhoods are now gay people pushing baby carriages.

- John Waters

People, Young, Pushing, Bars

I've been arrested several times. I've been known to dress in ludicrous fashions. I've also built a career out of negative reviews.

- John Waters

Dress, Been, Arrested, Reviews

Being a traditionalist, I'm a rabid sucker for Christmas. In July, I'm already worried that there are only 146 shopping days left.

- John Waters

July, Christmas, Being, Sucker

I'd be arrested if I still smoked because I'm the one who would be changing the battery in the airplane in the lavatory to take out the smoke detector. I would've been those people they warn you against.

- John Waters

Against, Been, Arrested, Airplane

I like art. It's another way to rebel.

- John Waters

Art, Rebel, Like, Another Way

I've been an art collector since the Sixties, and I kept it very separate from my showbusiness career. I've had art shows since the early Nineties, a museum show that travelled to four countries. I've had three or four art books; it's just another way I have to tell stories.

- John Waters

Career, Been, Very, Another Way

My mother's brother became the undersecretary of the interior for Nixon, which did cause a little drama in my family because I was going to riots and everything, but he turned out great and gave us a nice cheque for an AIDS benefit we had for the 'Serial Mom' premiere.

- John Waters

Became, Nixon, Turned, Riots

A hair-hopper is someone who pretends they're rich, who really wasn't brought up very wealthy but now tries to brag that they're rich, and they spend too much time on their hair.

- John Waters

Very, Tries, Brought, Brag

I went through different looks. At one period, I was preppy because that's how I grew up. But then I had bleached hair in the front. And I used to wear - then I wanted to be a beatnik. It was hard to be a beatnik in suburban Baltimore. But I wanted to be one.

- John Waters

Through, Baltimore, Wear, Preppy

One Christmas, Dennis Dermody, the movie critic of 'Paper,' gave me 'Rock Hudson: A Gathering of Friends,' the master invitation list from Rock Hudson's memorial service. It's so great. Everyone's in it, with personal addresses all bound into a book. Someone else once gave me Ike Turner's will. I get great stuff.

- John Waters

Movie, Ike, Great Stuff, Turner

In any film business, if you're trying to get your next film made, you would never say, 'Oh, my last film was a cult film.' I'd say, 'Oh, great, well I hope this one isn't!' I always say to Johnny Knoxville, 'How do you do it? You sort of do the same thing we did, except you made millions, and I made hundreds.'

- John Waters

Next, Your, Film Business, Johnny

Fellini was a little lofty for a teenage boy, but certainly he was a huge influence.

- John Waters

Certainly, Teenage, Huge, Huge Influence

New York was scarier than Baltimore ever was. It was terrible in the '70s. I'm glad they cleaned it up. I got mugged; I had to go to the hospital. Every time you went out, you got robbed. It was horrible. You can't imagine.

- John Waters

Baltimore, Had, Mugged, Robbed

I used to run away to New York from Baltimore all the time. I would get on the Greyhound bus and tell my parents I was going to some sorority weekend... I'd even make up fake permission slips, come to New York, and just ask people on the street if I could stay with them and go see midnight movies.

- John Waters

Bus, Some, Away, Slips

Life is a rotten lottery. I've had a pretty amazing life, a good life, and God knows I'm thankful, but I do believe that after 30, stop whining! Everybody's dealt a hand, and it's not fair what you get. But you've got to deal with it.

- John Waters

Thankful, Deal, Everybody, Whining

When I first saw 'House on Haunted Hill' as a kid in Baltimore, and the skeleton went out on the wire, and the thousand kids in the audience went crazy... My whole life, I've tried to at least equal that cinema anarchy. I came close with the end of 'Pink Flamingos,' but I didn't tie with it.

- John Waters

Pink, Kid, Baltimore, Haunted

Bergman movies were the most influential. They used to show at Goucher University, which was where my parents used to live. 'Brink of Life' was the first one I ever saw. Three pregnant women in a maternity ward and their misery - I love that. That is what I want to show at my funeral.

- John Waters

Love, Show, Influential, Brink

'Blood Feast' is my favorite of Lewis' films. When we shot 'Serial Mom,' and I showed them the infamous tongue scene, one of the female crew members said, 'I hate when a guy does that.'

- John Waters

Mom, Tongue, Infamous, Lewis

Grade school ruined reading for me by demanding book reports for such snore-a-thons as Benjamin Franklin's biography written for children.

- John Waters

Book, Reading, Reports, Ruined

I do take a one-week vacation every year, and I go to London in the fall.

- John Waters

London, Fall, Take, Vacation

I've always been close to my family. I've got a lot of nieces and nephews, but I'm a good uncle.

- John Waters

Uncle, Always, Been, Nieces

I think I'm probably the only person that, when the parents lent me money to make the movie, they wished I had not paid them back. They could have said 'No,' and it would have ended, and I would have gotten a real job.

- John Waters

Movie, I Think, Gotten, Lent

My father was horrified by my movies, yet he lent me the money to make the early ones. And I paid him back with interest.

- John Waters

Father, Him, Back, Lent

What fashion has started from hackers? They have bad posture, and they don't go out. I wish I had a hacker boyfriend - they stay at home up in the bedroom.

- John Waters

Bad, I Wish, Posture, Hackers

Underground, raw movies that come out of nowhere and change everything - they aren't slick-looking. But I have nothing against slick-looking as long as the scripts are funny.

- John Waters

Change, Nothing, Against, Scripts

Who have I been starstruck by in real life? One of the weirdest ones was, when we were making 'Cry-Baby,' David Nelson from 'The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet.' I couldn't believe he was sitting in my living room. Certainly Patricia Hearst. Tab Hunter. A lot of the stars I've worked with, when I first got them.

- John Waters

Believe, Been, Got, Nelson

They all want you to make a movie for under a million dollars, which I don't want to. I don't want to be a faux radical film-maker at 70. I did that. I don't need to do it again.

- John Waters

Movie, Radical, Which, Million Dollars

My 40th birthday I held in an old-age home. My 50th I had at Pravda before it opened in New York. My 60th I had at Pastis. For my 70th, I thought, 'I don't need to have a celebrity party this year. I'm going to go take my oldest, closest friends to Paris.'

- John Waters

Birthday, Thought, Celebrity, Closest

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