'Closer To The Gutter Than Ever:' John Waters Honored With Hollywood Walk Of Fame Star

HOLLYWOOD, CA — Filmmaker John Waters was honored Monday with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a day after the opening of an exhibition focused on his work at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures.

Now praised as an LGBTQ free-speech icon and figure of anti-conformity, the 77-year-old's LA honors reflect the growing mainstream appreciation of his transgressive works like 1972's "Pink Flamingos" — which was banned in several countries for its shockingly absurd content matter.

"Here I am, closer to the gutter than ever!" Waters joked during Monday's ceremony as he looked down at the famous sidewalk.

Several of Waters' friends and collaborators shared their thoughts about the filmmaker during the ceremony, including Mink Stole, who has appeared in all 12 of Waters' features.

"I don't know how John's brain works. I don't know how he comes with with characters like the Egg Lady, who lives in a crib in her underwear," Stole said. "What I do know is that John is brilliant, he is decent — unfailingly decent — and he is the hardest working man in show business. I am proud of the work that I've done with John but I have to tell you that I am far more proud that for well over half a century he has been my friend."

Ricki Lake, who appeared in five of Waters' films, including 1988's "Hairspray," shared a letter she wrote after production of the film wrapped — revealing how Waters' off-color sensibilities remained baked in to the film despite its PG rating.

The then 18-year-old Lake, who starred as a "pleasantly plump" teen dancer on an anti-racial segregation crusade, wrote that working on the film instilled her with self-confidence despite the strange situations production put her in.

"So what if 1. I had to remain fat for two months straight. 2. Wear live roaches on my back, not to mention rats. 3. Be smashed in the face with a huge ball. 4. Be hoisted in the air like an immobile Mack truck. 5. Lick a TV screen as if it was licking me back. And 6. Respond to the name Orca — So what, I'm me!," Lake said.

Waters' star is located outside the Larry Edmunds Bookshop at 6844 Hollywood Blvd., a long-running film-history focused store.

"I've been coming here for half a century. It's still my favorite spot on Hollywood Boulevard," Waters said.

And he has a wish for the pedestrians strolling the Walk of Fame and passing by his star.

"I hope the most desperate showbiz rejects walk over me here and feel some sort of respect and strength. The dreams on this magic boulevard will never wash away the gutter of my gratitude," he said.

The Academy Museum's exhibition, "John Waters: Pope of Trash," runs through Aug. 4, 2024. It includes costumes, set decorations, props, handwritten scripts, posters, concept designs, correspondence, scrapbooks, photographs and film clips