Net Worth Ranker
What Is John Waters’ Net Worth?
John Waters, a multifaceted American figure renowned as a director, writer, producer, actor, and artist, has accumulated a net worth of $50 million. This impressive sum reflects his diverse career spanning film, television, literature, and art.
Sources of John Waters’ Net Worth
Waters’ financial success stems from various avenues within the entertainment industry. He gained prominence for writing, directing, and producing “Hairspray,” which originated as a 1988 film and later transformed into a Tony Award-winning Broadway musical. His involvement as a co-producer and consultant on the 2007 film adaptation further contributed to his income. Exact figures for Waters’ earnings from “Hairspray” are not publicly available. However, given the stage musical’s long-running success and the 2007 film’s grossing over $200 million worldwide against a budget of $75 million, it can be inferred that the “Hairspray” franchise accounts for a substantial portion of his net worth.
Beyond “Hairspray,” Waters has written and directed over a dozen short and feature films, including “Hag in a Black Leather Jacket” (1964), “Pink Flamingos” (1972), “Cry-Baby” (1990), “Serial Mom” (1994), “Pecker” (1998), and “Cecil B. Demented” (2000). While specific box office figures for all of these films are not consistently available, some provide insight into their commercial performance. For example, “Pink Flamingos,” despite its controversial nature, earned over $4 million against a budget of only $12,000, demonstrating a considerable return on investment. “Cry-Baby” had a budget of $12 million and grossed $8.2 million, while “Serial Mom” made $7.9 million from a $13 million budget. In most of these films, Waters often took on roles as producer, editor and cinematographer, thus increasing his income per movie.
As an actor, Waters has accumulated over 40 credits, including appearances in films like “Sweet and Lowdown” (1999), “Seed of Chucky” (2004), “Jackass Number Two” (2006), and “Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip” (2015). Although his roles have often been cameos, these appearances supplement his income. For example, Waters hosted Court TV’s “‘Til Death Do Us Part” from 2006 to 2007 and Here TV’s “John Waters Presents Movies That Will Corrupt You” in 2006. Contract details and compensation figures for these hosting roles are not publicly known.
Waters’ literary endeavors have also added to his wealth. He has authored several books, including “Shock Value” (1981), “Crackpot: The Obsessions of John Waters” (1986), “Art: A Sex Book” (2003), “Role Models” (2010), “Carsick: John Waters Hitchhikes Across America” (2014), “Make Trouble” (2017), and “Mr. Know-It-All: The Tarnished Wisdom of a Filth Elder” (2019). While sales figures and royalties for each book are not readily available, the success of these publications, coupled with speaking engagements and book signings, has contributed to his overall earnings. “Carsick,” for instance, was a New York Times bestseller. The audiobook version of “Carsick,” narrated by Waters, was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album in 2015, and “Mr. Know-It-All” received the same honor in 2020.
Waters also creates photo-based artwork, and from October 2018 to January 2019, the Baltimore Museum of Art hosted the exhibition “John Waters: Indecent Exposure.” The selling price of Waters’ artwork is not publicly disclosed, but such exhibitions and sales undoubtedly contribute to his income.
John Waters’ Early Life and Career Beginnings
John Waters was born John Samuel Waters Jr. on April 22, 1946, in Baltimore, Maryland. He grew up in a Roman Catholic household with mother Patricia Ann, father John (a fire-protection equipment manufacturer), and siblings Steve, Kathy, and Trish. Waters’ early interest in film manifested through puppet shows he staged for children’s birthday parties after watching “Lili” (1953) at age 7. Waters attended the Calvert School, Towson Jr. High School, Calvert Hall College High School, and Boys’ Latin School of Maryland. He met his muse, Glenn Milstead (aka Divine), in Lutherville. After graduating from high school, Waters enrolled at New York University but was expelled in 1966 for smoking marijuana. He then returned to Baltimore. In 1964, Waters made his first short film, “Hag in a Black Leather Jacket.” Waters wrote, directed, produced, edited, and served as a cinematographer on the film, and he took on the same roles for his subsequent short films, “Roman Candles” (1966), “Eat Your Makeup” (1968), and “The Diane Linkletter Story” (1970) as well as four of his feature films. John’s first feature film was 1969’s “Mondo Trasho” which he followed with “Multiple Maniacs” in 1970.
Accolades and Recognition
Waters’ contributions to the entertainment industry have earned him numerous awards and nominations. He has been nominated for two Grammys for Best Spoken Word Album, for “Carsick: John Waters Hitchhikes Across America” in 2015 and “Mr. Know-It-All” in 2020. He received the Jack Smith Lifetime Achievement Award at the 1997 Chicago Underground Film Festival, and in 1998, he earned a Best Feature nomination for “Pecker” at the Gijón International Film Festival. In 1989, John received Independent Spirit Award nominations for Best Director and Best Screenplay for “Hairspray,” and the movie earned him a Grand Jury Prize nomination in the Dramatic category at the 1988 Sundance Film Festival. He was honored with the Stephen F. Kolzak Award at the 2004 GLAAD Media Awards, the Timeless Award from GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics (2017), and the Copper Wing Tribute Award at the 2003 Phoenix Film Festival. Waters was presented with the Filmmaker on the Edge Award at the 1999 Provincetown International Film Festival, and he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Online Film Critics Society Awards in 2020. In 2018, the French government named John an Officier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. In 2019, John received the Pardo d’onore Manor Award at the Locarno International Film Festival and the Honorary Golden Alexander at the Thessaloniki Film Festival.
Real Estate Holdings
Waters possesses a diverse portfolio of real estate holdings, including apartments in San Francisco and New York, a large country home outside of Baltimore, and a summer house in Provincetown, Massachusetts. While specific addresses and purchase prices are not publicly available, these properties represent a significant portion of his assets and contribute to his overall net worth. The precise values of these properties would depend on market conditions and the specific characteristics of each location.
