Divine was the stage name of Los Angeles-based drag performer Harris Glenn Milstead (October 19, 1945 — March 7, 1988). He was known for her signature pointed-eyebrow look and her roles in several John Waters movies.
Legacy
Divine still has a lasting legacy within the drag community. Although he had passed away decades before Drag Race would premiere, Divine has been mentioned and referenced throughout the series. There has even been a Divine-inspired maxi-challenge on Season 7; which was judged by John Waters himself. Ginger Minj won the challenge with her performance in a recreation of an iconic scene from "Edie and the Eggs". Eureka! also impersonated her in Snatch Game on RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars (Season 6).
Trivia
- Disney's character Ursula was inspired by Divine.[1]
- Shortly before his death, Divine was asked to play the mother and uncle of the character Peggy Bundy in the series Married... with Children. The shooting would start on the day of his death.
Filmography
| Year | Film | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1966 | Roman Candles | The Smoking Nun |
| 1968 | Eat Your Makeup | Jacqueline Kennedy |
| 1969 | The Diane Linkletter Story | Diane Linkletter |
| Mondo Trasho | Divine | |
| 1970 | Multiple Maniacs | Lady Divine |
| 1972 | Pink Flamingos | Divine / Babs Johnson |
| 1974 | Female Trouble | Dawn Davenport / Earl Peterson |
| 1979 | Tally Brown, New York | Himself |
| 1980 | The Alternative Miss World | Guest of Honour / Interviewer |
| 1981 | Polyester | Francine Fishpaw |
| 1985 | Lust in the Dust | Rosie Velez |
| Trouble in Mind | Hilly Blue | |
| Divine Waters | Himself | |
| 1987 | Tales from the Darkside | Chia Fung |
| 1988 | Hairspray | Edna Turnblad / Arvin Hodgepile |
| 1989 | Out of the Dark | Det. Langella |
| 1998 | Divine Trash | Himself |
| 2000 | In Bad Taste | |
| 2002 | The Cockettes | |
| 2013 | I Am Divine |
References
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