John Waters at 80: Cult Filmmaker’s Outrageous Birthday Bash and New Show Break the Internet

Cult filmmaker John Waters is marking his 80th birthday with the raunchy flair that earned him the nickname “Pope of Trash.” The director kicked off celebrations with a euphoric party in Berkeley, where he previewed his new one-man stage show before a crowd of longtime devotees. That stage show, “Going to Extremes,” is also the centerpiece of a nationwide comedy tour launching this month. Promotional materials promise “a whole new radical revival sermon” that blends stand-up, social satire and behind-the-scenes stories from Waters’ five-decade career. Early tour stops include New York City on April 19 and Los Angeles on April 25, with additional dates rolling out through the summer. Waters’ milestone arrives amid a pop-culture resurgence. Variety’s box-office podcast dedicated a full segment to the director this week, noting that his name is spiking across social media as Universal’s “Super Mario Galaxy Movie” continues to dominate theaters—an ironic parallel for the outsider auteur who once parodied family entertainment. Never one to play it safe, Waters says his dream gig is hosting the Academy Awards—and he already has a headline-grabbing plan. In a new interview, he floated reuniting Will Smith and Chris Rock onstage to present together, turning their infamous slap into performance art and, in typical Waters fashion, “making everyone nervous”. The director is also eyeing a long-gestating screen comeback with “Liarmouth,” an adaptation of his 2022 novel starring Aubrey Plaza. Financing has proven elusive, but Waters insists the project is alive: “Nobody will give us the money—yet,” he told Yahoo Entertainment, adding that Plaza is still attached and the script is ready to roll when backers sign on. Between the touring show, viral award-show fantasies and a potential return to the director’s chair, 2026 is shaping up as John Waters’ biggest year in decades. Fans can expect ticket announcements, teaser clips and fresh merchandise to drop throughout the spring—so keep an eye on the cult legend’s social feeds for updates.