Quotes from Divine

I was shocked that someone I didn't even know would take the time to pray for me.

I have no bad habits, except overeating.

I love making people laugh. I just happened to do it dressed as a woman.

I hate that when they call me a transvestite.

I think the least of people's worries is a man In a dress.

The press criticism made me feel at times like I was someone who had landed from outer space and, to my parents, being in show business was the worst thing you could be. Especially because I did drag, they didn't think much of it.

America is a hardheaded place. It's tough to be different here.

I think a lot of people don't really understand. They call me a fat drag queen, which I resent, because I'm a character actor and a very good one.

I always loved that tragic look, the bigger-than-life women. They always have those big glasses and scarfs on, and doctors and nurses always around them. You felt sorry for them, but they had their lips together, no matter what was happening to them. They always looked like movie stars.

I've always said in interviews that I am a man I've never claimed to be anything but. Other than for performances, the women's clothing is in a box.

I was very introverted.

Alfred Hitchcock was right when he said that actors are basically like cattle. Directors just look at us and yell 'Move!'

Even though I travel considerably, I hardly get to see a thing when I am out on tour. It's always the same routine: I get into some town. They lead me to the hotel. I eat. I put on lipstick. Then I go to the club, talk real dirty, sing a few songs and go home. Not a bad way to make a living.

I don't do Judy Garland or Mae West, and I'm not a female impersonator. I'm an actor.

I was typecast for a long time. A lot of people thought all Divine could do was play a loud, beefy blonde.

I never planned to do female roles. It just happened. I was typecast.

I always wanted to be in show business or whatever you want to call this crazy world, to be an actor or a movie star or whatever.

I always felt like a movie star.

I think of myself as a living cartoon.

I can stand on stage and do nothing, and people will write, 'Divine was outrageous.'

I'm a nice guy, I really am.

I've been working now for 24 years. That's a long time to be around for playing only one note, and I'm making a damn good living. And if some still think I'm a woman, that's OK, too.

My men's clothes are traditional. I don't buy trendy clothes. I buy updated classics double breasted, three-piece suits; slacks and either T-shirts or regular shirts. Everything is monogrammed. I used to hate that more than anything. Now there are D's on everything. It started out as a joke and now, if it doesn't have a D on it, I wonder why.

I mean, there are a lot of big people out there that they're still very beautiful people.