Edith Massey(1918-1984)
- Actress
- Composer
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.
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.
