And this is a kind of bad-guy-type part, a kind of villain part. GROSS: Let's talk about the male part that you played. But then, in a way, that's the best thing, too, I guess. And - because so often with my size and things, I'm so - what's the word? - you know, not uptight but - about sticking out too much.ĭIVINE: Yeah, self-conscious, you know, about sticking out too much or being the largest person on the set. I did look exactly the way I was supposed to. That's perfect.ĭIVINE: I looked just like one of the girls on the street.ĭIVINE: Oh, it was good. ![]() He looked at me, and he did a double take. I came back and stood right in front of John. I walked right through the camera crew, past John and kept going. ![]() When I was doing the film, it was very funny because the first day on the set, I walked down the street. But I said to Johnny (ph), he doesn't have to go too far from his front door, actually, to still see women who look just like that. And I'm glad I know how to tease because that's definitely the look they want. 'Cause when I'm on the road and things doing my club act, there aren't always hairdressers available or things. You used to be a hairdresser, didn't you?ĭIVINE: Oh, for a very short time. And I know John Waters is really enamored with those old hairdos. GROSS: Let's talk about your roles in "Hairspray." A part of the movie is about hairdos, about the great teased bouffant hairdos of the early '60s. I had no idea that they would be such strong characters - that people thought that was all I could do. So you don't go around turning down parts that are the leads or that are written for you if you're a young actor. I never set out in the beginning of my career just to play female roles.īut, fortunately or unfortunately for me, they were the only things that were offered to me. But I think I'm very lucky that I was starting to come out of it. I think it's a cliche Hollywood story - being typecast. GROSS: Are you glad that you played a dual role - that you played a female and a male role so that you're seen as a character actor who's capable of performing in both roles?ĭIVINE: Oh, definitely. So it was great to play 'cause they're unlike any other characters I've ever done. Then I also play a part of Arvin Hodgepile, who is a racist, sexist pig. So she thinks this is great and gets behind her 100 percent and becomes her agent and manager. First, she's a bit leery but then realizes that, in her words, she could be one of the Rockettes. She has a child that wants to break into a dance program on television. ![]() GROSS: Let me ask you to describe in your own words the two roles that you play in "Hairspray."ĭIVINE: Well, I think one is Edna Turnblad as a loving mother and adoring wife. Pettipants, pettigirdle - you just let Tracy take her pick.ĭIVINE: (As Edna Turnblad) It's a deal. Pinky) You drive a hard bargain, Miss Edna, and rightfully so. I hope there's no diets in the works because I want to design your Miss Auto Show coronation gown myself.ĭIVINE: (As Edna Turnblad) Could you throw in a pair of complimentary pettipants in the deal? I want you to be my model.ĭIVINE: (As Edna Turnblad) Would she be paid for this? Here, we cater to the big-boned gals like yourself who are stylish and, at the same time, frustrated by the lack of sizes in the department stores today. Pinky) Well, it's a pleasure to meet the both of you. Pinky, I'm Tracy's business manager, Edna Turnblad.ĪLAN WENDL: (As Mr. Pinky's Hefty Hideaway House of Fashion for the Ample Woman to pick out some new clothes for a TV dance show.ĭIVINE: (As Edna Turnblad) Mr. When we spoke, we started with a scene in which Divine, as Edna Turnblad, is taking her daughter Tracy to Mr. In "Hairspray," Divine play dual roles, the housewife and mother Edna Turnblad and Arvin Hodgepile, the racist president of the TV station. I spoke with Divine in February 1988, just after the release of Waters' movie "Hairspray." Two weeks later, Divine died of an enlarged heart. Divine's character wins the title the filthiest person alive in that film. If you've seen the film or the publicity stills, then you'll remember the image of Divine's huge frame covered in a skin-tight, low-cut gown. It was Waters' 1972 movie "Pink Flamingos" that made Divine famous. But when we spoke, he'd been trying to broaden his career and was doing films by other people in male and female roles. Until his death in 1988, he was in every one of John Waters' movies. ![]() But Divine said he thought of himself as a character actor. Divine was frequently referred to as a 300-pound drag queen. Let's continue our 30th anniversary retrospective with Divine, the man who often starred in women's roles in John Waters' films.
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