Trivia

In Disney's La Petite Sirène (1989), the character of "Ursula" (voiced by Pat Carroll) was based on her.

Plays both a woman and a man (as the racist head of the station that airs the Corny Collins show) in his last film Hairspray (1988).

As a result of his having played Edna Turnblad in Hairspray (1988), the stage musical also traditionally casts a man in the role.

When first creating his alter ego, Divine told make-up artist friend Van Smith that he wanted a look that was a cross between Jayne Mansfield and Clarabell the Clown from Puppet Playhouse (1947).

Was contracted to play a recurring role as the Uncle in Mariés, deux enfants (1987), but died the day before the shooting of the episode (#2.22, "All in the Family"). James 'Gypsy' Haake was cast as 'Uncle Otto' in Divine's place, and the episode was dedicated to Divine's memory.

Died in his sleep from a combination of his weight and a disorder called sleep apnea, a disorder in which the body "forgets" to breathe or is unable to breathe due to blockage or excessive pressure. A classic symptom of this disorder is a sudden cessation of snoring for several seconds, indicating the inability to breathe.

Idolized Elizabeth Taylor as a teenager, and dressed up as her character "Gloria" from Vénus au vison (1960) for a Halloween party that he attended wearing a slip, fur coat, and stillettoes.

John Waters wanted him to be in Desperate Living (1977), and had written the movie with him in mind, but he was unable to be in the movie as he was appearing in a play at the time.

Had a successful singing career (dance/disco), touring the world's clubs, and released numerous albums.

Was one of the 250 male nominees of the AFI top 50 stars.

Buried at Prospect Hill Cemetery in Towson, Maryland.

Biography in: "The Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives". Volume Two, 1986-1990, pages 247-248. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1999.

He has appeared in two films that have been selected for the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically or aesthetically" significant: Pink Flamingos (1972) & Hairspray (1988).

Actor featured in comic transvestite roles.

Born on exactly the same date as John Lithgow.