Edith Massey

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. Captured by her effervescent charm, Waters cast Massey in Multiple Maniacs (1970) as Jesus's mother. Her next role was as Mama Edie in Pink Flamingos (1972). 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). 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. Sadly, Edith Massey passed away in Octo