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John Waters

John Waters

Actor · Born December 8, 1948 (77) · London, England, UK

John Waters (born December 8, 1948) is one of Australia's most recognised and respected film and theatre actors. He was born in London England, the middle of five children of Scottish actor, Russell Waters. As a child John often hung around film studios while dad worked and even starred in a few young parts. He first faced a live audience as a singer and bass player with 60s R & R Band The Riots and appeared in Macbeth before travelling to Australia in 1968 with only a guitar and $90. He soon heard a US film called Adam's Woman, starring Beau Bridges, was being filmed in NSW so he managed to get himself cast in a small role. Fellow cast members recommended he try auditioning for a musical. He did, and landed the lead role of Claude in Sydney's 1969 production of the landmark rock musical, Hair. This was followed by the role of Judas in Godspell. This led to an acting career on stage, film and television that elevated him to his current status as Australia's most versatile leading man. From the brooding Sgt. McKellar Of ABC TV's Rush in 1974 which earned him a Logie Award for Best New Talent, through the Australian film boom that followed with films such as End Play, Summerfield, Breaker Morant, and on to the mini-series of the 80's, All The Rivers Run, Nancy Wake and Alice To Nowhere. Not to be forgotten was his ten year stint as host of childrens ABC program PlaySchool. John has always intrigued audiences with his diversity. Since collecting Australia's highest accolade as the Australian Film Institute's Best Actor Award in 1988 for the film Boulevard of Broken Dreams, John has re-embraced musical theatre as Professor Higgins in My Fair Lady, and They're Playing Our Song, and in productions of The Hunting of the Snark for Mike Batt, and A Little Night Music for the Sydney Theatre Company. He has also appeared in Love Letters at the Sydney Opera House and Children of a Lesser God. In 1995 he appeared in ReUnion a rock musical written and financed by himself and Stewart D'Arrietta. He won unanimous acclaim in the role of Pontius Pilate in the 1992 concert version of Jesus Christ Superstar with John Farnham, Kate Ceberano, Jon Stevens and Angry Anderson which successfully toured the nation. He has made guest appearances in various TV series, including Good Guys Bad Guys, The Man From Snowy River, All Together Now and Young Lions. John's self written one man show Looking Through a Glass Onion, based on the life of John Lennon, toured nationally and regularly since 1992 and also played six months in London's West End in 1995.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
December 8, 1948 (77)
From
London, England, UK
Works as
Actor
Titles
27 on MovieCove · 72 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Official site (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 156 days to Oct 27Down 25% in 30 days

What are John Waters' films like?

Across their 15 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Self.

Genres

Crime3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 47th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Crime movies
Drama3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 40th percentile
: browse their Drama movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Morality
27%
Self
24%
Survival
18%
Society
13%
Ideas
8%
Bonds
7%
Power
4%
Justice3 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose3 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity3 titles, browse their movies with this themeDuty3 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival4 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth2 titles, browse their movies with this themeGrief2 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 12 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 3 · Serious 4 · Dark 5

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 7 · Stylized 4 · Heightened 1

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

A split, not a type: Gentle 2 · Charged 4 · Intense 6

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

A split, not a type: Steady 7 · Shifting 3 · Whiplash 2

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 11 · Some laughs 1 · Funny 0

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 5 · Even-paced 7 · Relentless 0

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 3 · Engaged 6 · Full focus 3

Open-ended: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their open-ended movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

A split, not a type: Resolved 7 · Open-ended 2 · Ambiguous 3

Roles they play

7 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 2 of 7 analyzed roles.

Ally
2 of 7
Shadow
2 of 7
Mentor
2 of 7
Threshold guardian
1 of 7
Show the 7 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
11
Melancholic
6
Hopeful
7
Contemplative
5
Thrilling
4
Other
5

How their films linger

Hopeful7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteWistful2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 5 with a twist

  • Happy3
  • Bittersweet6
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous5

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch John Waters' films?

As of October 24, 2026, 24 of their 27 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (14).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for John Waters' titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

72 credits, 27 with a MovieCove page; 7 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Better Man(2024)

    as Michael Parkinson

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • The Rooster(2023)

    as Norris

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • The Second Best Hospital in the Galaxy(2024)

    Show 1 episode · as (voice)

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all shows

  • Blaze(2022)

    as Magistrate

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Darby and Joan(2022)

    Show 5 episodes · as Ian Kirkhope

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all shows

  • Halifax: Retribution(2020)

    Show 1 episode · as Ryan

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all shows

  • Miss Fisher & the Crypt of Tears(2020)

    as Professor Linnaeus

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • The End (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Show 8 episodes · as Henry

  • Mystery Road(2018)

    Show 3 episodes · as Travis James

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all shows

  • Three Summers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    as Eamon

  • 2:22(2017)

    as Bill

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • Anzac Girls(2014)

    Show 2 episodes · as Colonel Thomas Fiaschi

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all shows

  • Mickey Mouse(2013)

    Show 1 episode · as (voice)

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • Return to Nim's Island(2013)

    as Booker

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • The Doctor Blake Mysteries(2013)

    Show 1 episode · as Bernie Thompson

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • The Mystery of a Hansom Cab(2012)

    as Mark Frettlby

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • Kapyong (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as Narrator

  • Bubble Guppies(2006)

    Show 1 episode · as Baron von Bland (voice)

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all shows

  • Offspring (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Show 52 episodes · Actor

  • Centre Place(2010)

    as Jack Houghton

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Underbelly(2008)

    Show 2 episodes · as John Hatton MP

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all shows

  • Ten Pound Poms (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Narrator

  • The Bouncer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Dave

  • Carnivore Reflux (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Narrator

  • Stealth(2005)

    as Black Ops Doctor

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films

  • Fireflies(2004)

    Show 22 episodes · as Perry Luscombe

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • Wonders of Australia's National Parks (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 3 episodes · as Narrator

  • Evil Never Dies(2003)

    as Professor Arkin

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • Young Lions(2002)

    Show 7 episodes · as Senior Detective Bill Martin

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all shows

  • The Lost World (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Lento

  • The Sugar Factory (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Sam Lejeune

  • Chameleon II: Death Match(1999)

    as Henry Kubica

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • The Real Macaw (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Dr. Lance Hagen

  • All Saints(1998)

    Show 81 episodes · as Mike Vlasek

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all shows

  • Good Guys, Bad Guys (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Oscar Drake

  • Singapore Sling: Midnight Orchid (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as John Stamford

  • Snowy River: The McGregor Saga(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Damien Winters

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all shows

  • Singapore Sling (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as John Stamford

  • Ebbtide (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Michael Suresch

  • Jesus Christ Superstar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Pontius Pilate

  • Kelly (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Nichols

  • Which Way Home (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Steve Hannah

  • Heaven Tonight (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Johnny Dysart

  • All The Rivers Run II (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Show 2 episodes · as Brenton Edwards

  • Grievous Bodily Harm(1988)

    as Morris Martin

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films

  • Boulevard of Broken Dreams (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Tom Garfield

  • Captain Johnno (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Frank

  • The Christmas Visitor (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Patrick O'Day

  • Nancy Wake (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Show 2 episodes · as Henri Fiocca

  • The Last of the Mohicans (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Hawkeye Bumppo (voice)

  • Going Sane (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Martin Brown

  • Passion Flower (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Leslie Gaitland

  • Alice to Nowhere (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Show 2 episodes · as Johnny Parson

  • The Perfectionist (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Stuart Gunn

  • I Can't Get Started (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Actor

  • High Country (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Ben Lomax

  • All the Rivers Run (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Show 4 episodes · as Brenton Edwards

  • Attack Force Z(1981)

    as Ted King

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • Breaker Morant(1980)

    as Cpt. Alfred Taylor

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • Demolition (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Actor

  • The Prophecies of Nostradamus (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    as Host

  • Cass (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    as Mike

  • Weekend of Shadows (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    as Rabbit

  • The Scalp Merchant (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Actor

  • Summerfield (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as David Abbott

  • The Getting of Wisdom (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as Rev. Shepherd

  • The Adventures of Eliza Fraser (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    as David Bracefell

  • The Sullivans (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Show 31 episodes · as Chris Merchant

  • The Haunting of Hewie Dowker (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    as Hewie Dowker

  • End Play (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    as Mark Gifford

  • Rush (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Show 25 episodes · as Sergeant Robert McKellar

  • Nothing, Number 2 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as Cameron Kerr

Career shape

Star power in the 92nd percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 72 titles, 71 of them dated from 1974 to 2024; peak year 2023.

Biggest box office

2:22 (2017)

$3.9M worldwide

Highest rated

Breaker Morant (1980)

Midcredits 96th

Most popular right now

Darby and Joan (2022)

Film career

19742024

Peak 2023 · at the high point of their film career. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

  • 1977Screen debut· Summerfield

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting72 of 72: 72 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score47th

By decade

1970s12 · acting1980s15 · acting1990s15 · acting2000s9 · acting2010s12 · acting2020s8 · acting

Billing

usually 6th · top billed in 0% of 8 roles

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30.

How do John Waters' films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 30th percentile, the median of all 14; across their 12 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 31st percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

31stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 12

Approval · how many liked their films

31stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 12

Reach · how many have seen their films

57thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 12

Midcredits score across 27 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up6
  • 50th to 74th7
  • 25th to 49th7
  • Below 25th7

Shape of the crowd

10 of their 27 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved3
  • Cult Classic4
  • Crowd Pleaser9
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed10

Most divisive · actor

Chameleon II: Death Match (1999)

80th percentile spread · 46% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Breaker Morant (1980)

Midcredits 96th · 86% liked

Reviewers score the acting 66/100 in their films, across 11 reviewed titles; fans 80, detractors 44. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is John Waters' work okay for kids?

Across a limited sample of up to 4 MovieCove titles with content scores.

Their medianMedian of all films
Sex & Nudity4 titlesmedian 38 · moderateMedian of all films: 32

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted.

Who does John Waters work with?

People who share at least 2 of John Waters' MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Chris Haywood shares the most, 3.

Directors

Actors

Composers and editors

Mixed roles