- Born
- Died
- Nickname
- Egg Lady, The
- Height5′ 3″ (1.60 m)
- 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.
- IMDb mini biography by: <stimpy@ihug.co.nz>
- Spouse? Massey(1946 - 1951?)
- John Waters said that she often had trouble remembering her lines in his films. To help herself remember them, she would often write out her lines hundreds of times.
- After she became rich, she had a special set of false teeth made, with her trademark gaps.
- Former chorus girl and tap dancer.
- 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.
- Embarked on singing career - released a track titled "Big Girls Don't Cry", which can be found on "The World's Worst Records" Vol. 1 (a various artists compilation from Rhino Records).
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