Edith Massey (1918-1984) was an American actress and singer who became a true icon of underground cinema and "trash" culture. Originally from New York, she was discovered by John Waters in Baltimore, where she worked as a barmaid. She immediately became a fundamental member of his troupe of regular actors, the "Dreamlanders." With her unmistakable lisping voice, gap-toothed smile, and disarming authenticity, Massey embodied the spirit of Waters' films. Her most legendary role is that of Edie, the "Egg Lady," in the cult film Pink Flamingos (1972), where she lives in a playpen worshiping eggs. She is equally memorable as the criminal beautician Aunt Ida in Female Trouble (1974) and the despotic Queen Carlotta in Desperate Living (1977). Capitalizing on her cult fame, she opened a thrift store in Baltimore, "Edith's Shopping Bag," and even performed as a punk singer, solidifying her status as a beloved outcast.