Divine on The Late Show 1988

[@SIyDoll]

How charming and softly spoken Divine was. Rest in Peace beautiful!

[@RareWarRoses]

What happen to her?

[@EphemeralProductions]

+RareWarRoses him you mean? he was a man and thought of divine as a character that he played.

[@Misho83]

He died shortly after this ... :/

[@wiggywaggo9647]

yeh, put actual dog shit in his mouth, and was involved in torturing an actual animal. great guy.

[@alasskaluna2446]

Wiggy Waggo the dog shit doesn't bother me, if anything I would just feel sorry for him because he was only doing what he was told and it was a very unpleasant experience for him. But you're right about the animal torture. I adore Pink Flamingos and John Waters films but the only sour note for me, and the parts I don't watch, are the unnecessary animal torture scenes (killing animals humanely for food is one thing, torturing them in the name of entertainment is quite another). That's not cool. Plus Divine apparently liked fur coats too. But this was back in the 70's and 80's and there was a lot more ignorance regarding animal welfare issues back then. The films (and the people) were a product of their time.

[@aresef]

It’s so unfair that we lost him at such a young age.

[@tokajileo5928]

well you cannot ignore biology, if you are so overweight your heart will not tolerate long. he should have known.

[@ElectroPotato]

@@tokajileo5928 Overweight and a lot of cocain

[@gordonkim100]

@@ElectroPotato how old?

[@PapagenoMF]

He did it to himself unfortunately.

[@jimmyjames3819]

@@gordonkim100 only 42

[@timrogers3267]

Divine was signed to play the character of Peg Bundy’s mother on “Married with Children.” Which would gave been hilarious to witness the exchange between Ed and his mother-in-law. Sadly, however, Divine passed away the night before he was scheduled to appear on the set. The cast was terribly upset, because they had all these plans for a new direction in the storyline for the new season, and it was all gone that fast. But to show their respect for his style of humor, they sent flowers to the funeral home with a card attached that read “Well, If you didn’t want the part, why didn’t you just say so?” Lol.

[@zakkxx1]

OMG what a great anecdote

[@adolfelmarjukic9133]

A true story?!

[@josehuizar9272]

Aaaw too bad for us. I loved Divine! Native💟!

[@dancelover020]

Actually, he was supposed to play the uncle. THAT was the reason why he was so happy to do it. They finally took him seriously!!

[@broceollomon]

Whoopi Goldberg also sent flowers with a card reading "See what happens when you get good reviews?"

[@ATLcentury334]

When I was in my early 20’s, I knew a concert promoter who would ask me to come to some of his events. I would go to the concerts of acts that I liked, and after the concert I was invited backstage to meet the performers. It was always a fun evening. I knew Divine was appearing at Taboo nightclub and really wanted to see her. I was thrilled when I found out my friend was the promoter. I had seen Divine a few times and was looking forward to meeting her. About 20 minutes after the show, security came to tell me it was my turn to go backstage. I was ushered into the dressing room, there were maybe 6 people standing around talking, and Divine looking like he did in this interview sitting in a directors chair. I wasn’t expecting to see him out of makeup. I shook his hand and told him how much I enjoyed the show and that I owned all his albums. He smiled and thanked me. He offered me an autograph which I gladly accepted. He wrote “ 88 for John, love Divine “. I never asked for autographs before because I felt it was too invasive. A week later I read in the paper he had been found dead in his hotel room in Los Angeles. I still have the autograph today. I always thought what a nice man he was.

[@milino2894]

Wow, one gets used to seeing the completely outrageous Divine, but seeing Glenn like this is something else. He appeared to be so sweet and down to earth. A very likeable man. Gone to soon, I'm afraid 😢 May he rest in peace.

[@warwarparente4213]

Unfortunately he didn't take care of his own health he was dating a porn actor called Leo Ford on Wikipedia it says they stayed together until Divine's death it seems he also had AIDS, this boyfriend of Divine's

[@arosencrantz18]

I actually met him! In the early 1980's he came to Seattle on a tour and did his stand-up comedy routine as Divine. I had already seen him in his early movies. He was funny and he told some great jokes, mostly stories from his life. He was also very gracious with the audience. Unfortunately I no longer have the photographs that I took.

[@swtv1754]

I actually saw him in Seattle too during the late 1980s. The place was called Skoochies, but I think it might have been called something else by then. I was expecting his songs that were played at the clubs, but was pleasantly surprised to also have him do a comedy show! If it wasn't for your comment, I would have totally forgotten about that!

[@warwarparente4213]

Wow bro, how was the meeting with Glen Milstead outside of Divine? Wikipedia says he was with porn star Leo Ford who was his boyfriend at the time, they lived together until his death, this guy had AIDS

[@0Imtheslime0]

Charming guy. Just love his voice and his persona..

[@zxbn4566]

+0Imtheslime0 Agree

[@warwarparente4213]

He was dating a porn actor called Leo Ford, according to Wikipedia, this guy had AIDS

[@MonicaIbarzabal]

Totally

[@woweezowee4713]

he had a very beautiful soul , he was a very charming person, many celebrities do hell of a job to maintain shape and looks without concerning about the inner beauty --- Divine was very beautiful from the inside and that's reflected on the outside---------- Bless Divine

[@jameslanclos568]

I thought he was a HOT man, "from the outside" when he dressed in man drag.

[@Steve-x5o9m]

The pain he was describing in his chest, was probably an early warning of a clogged view or artery. If he had checked up on his health sooner, I believe he would of been alive today. He was the greatest. RIP DEVINE.

[@warwarparente4213]

He ate a lot of junk food, he still smoked marijuana, he was still obese, his body, his heart couldn't handle it.

[@lisamcdonald1014]

October 19th, 1945-March 7th, 1988

[@pamm1888]

I just love his Cheshire Cat voice

[@PumpkinPails]

He DOES sound like Cheshire Cat!

[@imasharky]

I literally was wondering why his voice sounded so familiar. This comment saved me from trying to place it. He sounds exactly like the Cheshire Cat!

[@AdhamOhm]

Divine sounds very much like Sterling Holloway (who did the voices of Cheshire and Winnie the Pooh)

[@sparky7718]

Seems like a delightful man, he brought laughter to so many.

[@campgalore]

He was so before his time. You can tell that the audience of the day isn't behind him at the start, but he wins them over! I hope things have changed a lot sine then!

[@jimmythundarrsdrumcoverser492]

Yup things have declined to a point of no return....JUST as we were told they would....Soddom and Gomorrah has arrived thanks to these deformaties and question marks....SMH

[@srkbear1]

James Darr Blah blah blah. By the way, is “Soddom” like Sodom? More silly proselytizing, yet here you are, watching the video, and actually taking the time to comment. If this isn’t your thing, then why click? Me thinks thou dost protesteth too much-stay in the lane of your own inventory, because the skeletons in your closet are showing...

[@stellarocquie7957]

A sweetheart of a guy. Had a REALLY hard life. He will be sorely missed for generations. RIP.

[@warwarparente4213]

Male, he just didn't take care of his own health, very obese, an enlarged heart, his boyfriend had AIDS, according to Wikipedia, he was a porn actor called Leo Ford, who maintained a relationship until Divine's death

[@MonicaIbarzabal]

Un genio auténtico. De los pies a la cabeza. Y podía haber interpretado muchos roles. Una fatalidad se fue tan pronto. Ídolo.

[@StyleLePelt]

God Rest his soul. I miss Divine. The BEST drag Queen. I personally think he had amazing courage to do what he did. I wish he was still with us. I would have loved to meet him.

[@13oiRD]

He really seemed like a kind, gentle man. RIP

[@lonelyqueen86]

i wish Divine were still around, think of how his influence would be felt in the drag community today! one can only wonder...

[@cyndip.6320]

I will always believe that John Waters and Divine's influence will be around forever! - they both were geniuses!

[@kat2873]

Cyndi P. John Waters isn't dead ffs

[@cyndip.6320]

kat2873 I was speaking in past tense about John Waters when Divine WAS alive FFS

[@icannotgetany]

I'm not drag but I love his music!!!!!

[@cyndip.6320]

I'm not drag either but Divine and John are a part of my youth growing up.....he was really a true "STAR" in my book.

[@dags.5527]

I had the pleasure of interviewing Divine in Norway in 1986. He was on tour and I was working after school in a local radio station. He was incredibly nice and accommodating. Very sad that he was gone so early. I miss guys like him in the entertainment industry. Now everything is so stereotypical and boring.

[@warwarparente4213]

What was your experience interviewing him like, what was Glen Milstead like outside of the Divine character?

[@dags.5527]

@@warwarparente4213 Almost shy, very friendly and nice to talk to. He was a professional artist. We were just teenagers working after school in a local radiostation, but Glen/Divine took the time for us.

[@warwarparente4213]

You are from Norway, had the pleasure of talking to Glen Milstead outside of the character Divine, tell me what you remember so much I'm from here in Brazil

[@nintendy]

I couldn't think of Divine as anything but a woman - she was FABULOUS! LOVED all her films and records. RIP

[@neilwalters4571]

Definitely a man, a gay man who loved dressing in drag. An awesome human being but dont buy into all this mis gendering nonsense of the present as you are doing trailblazers like divine and sylvester a gross disservice and misrepresentation

[@beningumi4311]

Thank you so much for this interview archive

[@Nantosuelta]

What a kind human being and a hilarious actor. I sure wish he was still around

[@confessionsofacraftymum1212]

30 years ago and not forgotten. RIP sweet Divine .

[@stephaniezuniga5835]

He was so charming and soft spoken

[@toefinder123]

He seems such a lovely man,very gentle

[@stellarocquie7957]

Very true.

[@leannezezeski-sass2773]

It's so sad that he passed away right when he really started going mainstream. I think that if he was still alive today, he would of went on to make so much more

[@warwarparente4213]

Maybe today, if I'm older, I wouldn't do shows dressed as a Drag Queen, age takes a toll on a person who would be almost 80 years old

[@chillinreptilian6751]

My transgendered friend told me about him and made me listen to a few of his songs and I just fell in love! I like out of the ordinary people! His tunes still make me dance today...

[@christian66ca]

I had the extreme honout to meet him about 8 month before he died. an amazing and lovely person.

[@balto4]

What a sweet man,beautiful inside and out. I know he still gets hate over his weight but he had such a wonderful personality why does that matter? I love he embraced hid size I'm a big lady myself and see him as a positive role model. No one could say a bad word about him ever

[@warwarparente4213]

What do you mean hidden

[@Samuel-b]

wow, I'm so used to seeing divine in drag that it looks really weird seeing him out of drag. divine was without a doubt a great performer in both the film and industry, and he would have gone on to do a lot more great things if he hadn't passed away so suddenly and at such a young age also. r.I.p. divine. you left us far too early, but you still entertained a lot of people during your lifetime and it's no doubt that you weren't afraid to express yourself freely. you will be missed.

[@warwarparente4213]

He was never a Drag Queen, he was just an actor who dressed as a female character on stage, Glen Milstead was a gay man

[@WellHelloDali]

Gone 25 years and still missed. What a legend. xxoo

[@geraldlyons2373]

I saw Divine in a show in Provincetown back in the 80's. It was classic Divine. Unfortunately, some of the Cape Cod tourists had no idea what to expect when they decided to take in a show. Some were screaming and running out of the theatre as the show took on the typical Divine humor. I am not sure if I had ever laughed so hard before or since. They should have filmed the reaction of the audience. I waited around outside the theatre, met him, and got his autograph. I think he was incredible.

[@dmg7111]

Great Post mate!!!

[@trancefreak64]

Such a Legend. RIP Divine

[@ryancantu2141]

It's amazing how great of an actor or actress Divine was, completely normal person that can be just about any character. Simply awesome

[@warwarparente4213]

He was an only gay male actor

[@AngieBaaBaa]

He seemed like a wonderful, good humored person. It is sad he died too soon. He actually shot an episode of "Married with Children" and was going back to shoot more as Uncle So and So but he had the heart attack either late night/early morning. He was very creative and was involved in a lot of the film making process with John Waters.

[@1stinlastout165]

He was a very brave Man to do what he did,top of the pop in the 80s I can't help but think the many more things he could of done.

[@25mmick]

I love Divine and wish she was still around. She is my hero and a great inspiration!!! No drag queen can touch her! Not even Rupaul!! Divine is a legend!!

[@ryanwickman8757]

Oh me too Honey. She will always live on in my heart.

[@xrentabrainx]

Ryan Wickman same she was a true drag queen

[@augusts1]

Both Divine & RuPaul are icons who can't be touched in their own right. I'm sure Ru was heavily influenced by Divine's legacy. I wonder if they ever met? Divine has heavily influenced most drag queens to this day as has Ru.

[@marguskiis7711]

He was still he, Harris Glenn Milstead. He never called himself a woman.

[@Nerdicronia]

Considering Divine was his on-stage persona and he considered the outfits his working clothes, I doubt that Mr. Milstead ever really identified as a woman.

[@jaysmithcool]

i love how he said, "as big as a house".

[@TheBob51111]

i never saw that show before . he she was just great ! humain, normal, un grand cœur et une belle âme

[@thegrimreaper1991]

Such a lovely man....well he was the best queen rip sweetie x

[@sharksport01]

Its Corny Collins! thanks for posting this.

[@jrbs]

He was the most engaging person ❤

[@Dan4x2282]

Lovely man beautiful human being !

[@BintAlAbla1999]

Great interview, many thanks for uploading. Great guy, Divine! RIP.

[@rockwhk]

What's the name of the interviewer?

[@HfilmReviews]

Hail Divine! You Are Missed!! would’ve loved to see his work today!

[@weylandyutani3081]

A true legend, what a gift to the world. I still listen to his tracks, Native Love, Shoot your Shot, You think you’re a man, I’m so beautiful, etc.

[@anthonyellis3613]

I first saw Divine in 1983 on a UK TV music show called The Tube. She was singing Shake It Up. This had a massive influence on me and the way I lived my life from that moment. Absolutely the definitive and best drag queen that ever graced our lives. Would have loved to have met her. God bless you Divine xxx

[@latkagravas986]

Ah man, too cool. HIs main Disco songs were so prevalent and still stand from growing up the mid 80s disco scene in East L.A.

[@Citrohan]

Thanks for posting this! Its kind of creepy hearing him joke about having a heart attack, knowing that shortly after this he was dead.

[@glamdolly30]

Oh Divine was gorgeous, so much of his own persona came through in his drag performances, such a lovable human being. So sad that he died this same year aged just 42, he would have just got more and more fabulous as he aged and no doubt have enjoyed an outrageous, hilarious old age. God bless him!

[@warwarparente4213]

I would also sit on the sausage with my ass all wrinkled if I were alive at almost 80

[@warwarparente4213]

According to Wikipedia, he was dating a porn actor with AIDS, it could be that he had the virus

[@antdell8730]

Divine seemed like such a sweet person. What a loss.

[@AndrewGotthard]

What an awesome time capsule this is, showcasing the amazing human Divine. Thanks for the upload!

[@cagwa]

Thanks for posting this. Died just when his career was about to go mainstream.

[@chrisedmunds9272]

Divine as an amazing, gentle person. RIP. You left too soon.

[@masongarrett3066]

He is cute out of drag

[@russianred9020]

Em Tee shut the fuck up!!😡😡😡😡😡😡

[@gabrieldimasyazbek]

Christopher Moffitt Leave my mate Mason alone

[@chigirllchigirll]

Totally. Sad tho, he died that year from enlarged heart. But he dressed as divine only for a character

[@billiedeffenbaugh7450]

He was suppose to be on an episode of Married with Children, but he died before he could. Rip, Device! He was a great actor.

[@BLAZEGUY2007]

Device??

[@davidmansell5986]

@@BLAZEGUY2007 I nevor mayke tryping errots!

[@BLAZEGUY2007]

@@davidmansell5986 Haha XD

[@tinakavanagh9990]

He was a great actor and singer!! Always loved him!! I wish some of these negative comments could be deleted....... he doesn't deserve negativity.... So you guys find someone else to poke fun at.... like when you look in the mirror!!

[@blueskye6372]

Watching August 2022. Divine was talented. Nice guy too. Rest in Paradise. 🧡👌🙏

[@Chillmax]

I wish Glen could've made it a bit further and enjoyed today's wider acceptance of what he did & who he was, even here, this felt really uncomfortable. Thanks Darling xxx

[@marthamydear5869]

C. Buck Hyres why did he die?

[@lefunk22]

He was on Married With Children?! Sounds great. If I'm lucky, maybe there's all or some of the episode on KZbin.

[@johnsjohnson6881]

All he did was be obese and mock women, so overall not much

[@chimera572]

Totally agree - Divine was awesome, I would like to have know more about him as a human being.

[@jenlei14]

Chillmax - well said, shame he couldn’t be with us long, but when you have a big heart you have a big heart

[@SWExplore]

I loved Divine in all of the movies he appeared in...especially "Female Trouble," which was a favorite. If only he had taken better care of himself he's still be with us today.

[@bushbasher85]

Hard to believe he was only in his 40s here, because he looks much closer to 70.

[@nayd.p7999]

who cares? everyone ages differently

[@marianamarquez2911]

Tenía 42.

[@MARCBSTN]

I have seen other clips fo Divine and he seems like a genuine, nice guy.

[@timmycompositor]

He was a beautiful human being. Rest in perfection!

[@PMCcty]

Thank you for posting this footage about Divine.In Holland there is no television material or what so ever...In our so called "Underground"dance scene, he was very well known.

[@douginprague]

I was lucky enough to see Divine perform in a couple of clubs in London, probably in 1987 or so.

[@nayr497]

I'm never seen any of his movies, but I stumbled upon this and just have to say this person seems like a loveable, gentle soul. RIP, Divine/Glen.

[@nicholassoverino4023]

Atleast divine knows she’s famous in our hearts forever

[@jenlei14]

Glen is so comfortable here, the interviewer is so awkward. Glen you are missed, such a pioneer. Xx

[@Candolad]

The interviewer was in the film "Hair Spray" with Divine and Debbie Harry, so I don't think he was awkward. Probably just aware that Divine was shy and found being himself on stage more difficult than playing Divine.

[@mike48877]

Seems like a really nice guy. Sorry he passed just as mainstream was beginning to discover and accept him.

[@trevorthompson7604]

Brilliant man left is with so many memories we will never forget you sheer brilliance

[@stephanieleach2767]

It is amazing to watch this again almost 20 years later. And hairspray is a classic!! Wish he had a part in cry baby also. Divine was a great hearted person. I'd love to have been a friend of his.

[@AndyAce83]

"My version of a man." Hahaha.

[@yuzik7932]

Конечно у него были, свои увлечения... Но как артист? Он заслуживает... Миллион аплодисментов... 😊🔥👍

[@rogerbarrett9132]

Divine died of an enlarged heart. I didn't know that an enlarged heart could kill until I discovered Divine.

[@nobodyshome4633]

- Yes, it’s a pretty nasty thing to have. It’s usually in the left ventricle of the heart and causes your heart muscle to weaken and that leads to heart failure.

[@stellarocquie7957]

Not that complicated. He died of a heart attack, as a result of high blood pressure, poor lifestyle choices, metabolic syndrome, etc. He weighed 300 pounds at the time of his death, which wasn't long after this interview. God help him. What a sweet, charming, soft-spoken man.

[@queenqueen977]

My grandma died of that only at the age of 55 :( so sad

[@MrixMuzik]

Thank you for taking the time out to post this!

[@MonicaIbarzabal]

The truly one an only. Fan total

[@dieterwtm8941]

thx for publishing this video!

[@Dermacrosis]

Divine was an inspiration. I remember the first time I watched Hairspray and seeing Devine in it and being shocked as I thought Divine was a UK thing.

[@myaannl3834]

yeah, he was a nice guy!!

[@TheTourmaline57]

he was an amazing actor and wonderful friend.xxoo

[@johnhiram1207]

He was the real deal. Gone far to soon.

[@shanerollins3736]

Yeah, what you got with Divine was the REAL THING ;)

[@dieterwtm8941]

Thanks for this rare video!

[@iliesko]

Actually this is from 1987, cause he sais hairspray will be out in january...the movie premiered at large after his death.

[@stevehardman4686]

Yup, Shawn Thompson hosted a Canadian variety show called Switchback in 86 and 87, not sure if I ever heard of it or not at the time(i was born in 72), but I sure don't remember it. Aside from associating him with Corny, he was behind the show Puppets Who Kill(good) and Less Than Kind(great), but I mostly think of him in a small film called Sleeping With Strangers, which I think was a wonderful screwball comedy from the mid 90's(I know people who agree and people who disagree with me on that one) with a number of actors who became better known in the following years, and starring the late Adrienne Shelly

[@jubalcalif9100]

Sad but true ! "Hairspray" was SUCH a huge success ! Divine's career would have climbed to untold heights ! How tragic that he left us so soon. Seems like a kind & gentle soul.

[@cactaceous]

He was alive when Hairspray opened. The movie premiered like a month before he died.

[@jchase3755]

Shawn Alex Thompson, (born September 1, 1951, Berwick, Nova Scotia)[1] is a Canadian actor, award winning Screenwriter, television producer, and television director, as well as a professional magician. Notably he is one of the producers of Puppets Who Kill, which aired on Canada's The Comedy Network. From December 1985 to April 1987, Shawn Thompson was cast as Simon Hall, a fictional character on the CBS series Guiding Light. It was the first daytime role for the Canadian born actor. In 1988, he played dance television host Corny Collins in John Waters' film Hairspray. He has directed episodes of the series Puppets Who Kill, winning a Canadian Comedy Award for Best Director in 2003, and a Gemini Award for Best Direction in 2004. He had a 12-year relationship with actress Rebecca Staab.

[@THAT_GAMER4291]

He seemed like a legitimately wholesome and genuine soul❤

[@brendxgutierrez]

RIP Harris Milstead aka Devine. Loved your music back in the day. Sorely missed.

[@tracygibson5971]

Rip divine

[@ccaruso8293]

Divine was truely great! I was late bloomer didnt know about him until too late in 2000's. He would give Lady Bunny a run for her money and what about Ru Paul? How well they would have worked together.

[@SteveHolst]

There was no one like Divine. As mellow a person as you could meet. Chain smoked pot all day long. Only did drag when he was being paid. He called drag his "workin' clothes". He moved to Venice CA a few months before I moved away from there. All the beach gays got to meet him (small town). He was very friendly and out going once he met you.

[@futureshock8596]

you can't compare divine to rupaul or even lady bunny. divine paved the way for trashy drag comedians like bunny and was a complete original. don't get me wrong i love both ru and bunny but divine was in a class of his own.

[@ccaruso8293]

He sounds like he was an amazing person. Too bad we lost him so soon.

[@mikehudson8884]

I remember Divine, loved all of John Walters films. Very entertaining and funny, we all need fun and humour.

[@anaruizguti]

Bless her heart, amazing person , artist.. just seen a documentary about him /her .

[@blackcallalily6540]

Corny Collins 😍 Divine was brilliant.. way ahead of his time 😁

[@donlitos]

So tragic he’s talking here about detecting possible chest pains in the past then dies of a heart attack a few days later, March 7, 1988. RIP Divine Artist

[@vincentpadovano7855]

RIP Divine...🙏🙏❤💛💙🧡 very soft spoken,great smile...died way too soon

[@richardgutz422]

Divine fez um enorme sucesso no Brasil nos anos 80 e ainda é muito conhecidos por alguns!

[@warwarparente4213]

Eu não lembravam dele eu tenho 37 anos hoje na época que ele morreu eu tinha 2 anos

[@warwarparente4213]

Quando foi isso não tem nada Referente dele aqui no Brasil só se for na comunidade gay

[@livingintorontorealestate]

I saw Divine live years ago in Toronto. .. He was in a play called "Women Behind Bars" .. and after the play was over, he would come out in full "Divine" character, and do a kind of performance fit .. running around accompanied by blaring disco music, and holding a large fish, and waving it around. .. It was all so fabulous and crazy!

[@bob110088]

I saw him in Women Behind Bars; its a cherished memory. Wish he would have taken better care of himself so he could have lived longer. Wonderful man.

[@rogerdale5451]

He was great. Obviously a very intelligent man. Awe, I still get a bit misty contemplating... An enigma...

[@remyparaskovia5499]

Divine the legendary drag Queen.

[@debbiemccarthy3864]

Beautiful Voice x x

[@jamesb821]

Just watched Female Trouble, he was hilarious in it

[@jubalcalif9100]

I recorded it off TCM recently & watched it last night ! Very funny & Divine was absolutely at his/her best ! Though I liked her/him best in "Hairspray". What a unique talent !!

[@ladynikkie]

I was seven years old when i first saw divine it was in the movie hairspray still like that movie to this day.

[@Trig242]

I've always loved his voice and general manner

[@fernandochavez1846]

The best. Of best thanks 4 evrithing great person greetings from alabama usa

[@ElCibaeno1966]

WOW, I don't know how I missed this back then....