Edith Massey

She appeared in many of Water's earlier films leading up to Polyester (1981), as well as being the subject of a biographical short film, Love Letter to Edie (1975).

Appeared on the cover of John Mellencamp's 1980 album "Nothin' Matters and What If It Did."

After her role as Queen Carlotta in Desperate Living (1977), Massey embarked on a singing career which lead 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.

Initially hated the tight, black, lace-up dominatrix outfit that was custom-made for her for Female Trouble (1974), but years later had a new one made when she couldn't fit into the original.

Her next role was as Mama Edie in Pink Flamingos (1972).

Captured by her effervescent charm, Waters cast Massey in Multiple Maniacs (1970) as Jesus's mother.

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 as the owner of a thrift shop, Edith's Shopping Bag at Fells Point, Baltimore, in the late 1960s.