Dad in Hairspray: The Unlikely Hero of John Waters' Classic Comedy

John Waters' 1988 film Hairspray has become a cult classic, known for its catchy music, colorful characters, and the iconic Edna Turnblad, played by Divine. However, behind the scenes, there was another key character that brought the film to life: Dad, also known as David Sparrow. Played by Ricki Lake's real-life father, Les Waters, and then later by Ricki Lake's stepfather, Joseph Warner Jr., the character of Dad, or rather, Ricki's biological father, was almost completely removed from the final cut. However, Les Waters' portrayal was so significant that it has had a lasting impact on the film, making Dad in Hairspray a crucial part of the movie's enduring success.

The character of Edna Turnblad, played by Divine, is a central figure in Hairspray, and Edna's daughter, Penny, played by Nickey Beltram, is a key player in the film's plot. However, Edna's husband, Mr. Turnblad, is all but a non-entity, with many fans assuming that he is simply dead. However, in early drafts of the screenplay and in Waters' original vision, Mr. Turnblad was meant to be a much more prominent character. Ricki Lake, who played Tracy Turnblad in the film, remembers her real-life father, Les Waters, being a significant part of her childhood, but notes that Les had a different appearance than the character that was ultimately portrayed.

Les Waters, Ricki's biological father, was a doctor, and was often absent from her life due to work commitments. However, when Ricki's mother was away from home, Les would step in to take care of her and provide a stable presence in her life. When Hairspray's script was being rewritten, Waters felt that the character of Mr. Turnblad should be played by Ricki's stepfather, Joseph Warner Jr., who would have brought a sense of familiarity and grounding to the role. However, ultimately, the film's producers decided to remove the character altogether.

Waters remembers the character being dropped from the film due to the perceived expense of having to rework the script and find a new actor for the role. However, in the end, the film was more focused on the main characters, Tracy, Edna, and Seaweed, and Mr. Turnblad was relegated to the sidelines. Despite being removed from the film, Ricki Lake remembers her stepfather, Joseph Warner Jr., being a big influence on her as a child, and Waters notes that he was a talented actor who would have brought a lot to the role.

The character of Edna Turnblad, played by Divine, has become an iconic figure in American cinema, and her relationship with her husband, Mr. Turnblad, is central to the film's narrative. Despite Mr. Turnblad's absence from the final cut, his presence is still felt throughout the story, with Edna often referring to him in conversations with other characters. Ricki Lake notes that while Mr. Turnblad's absence may have made sense in terms of the film's plot, it has also meant that fans of the film are left with a lot of unanswered questions about Edna's past and her relationships.

For example, Edna's backstory is largely left unexplored in the film, with fans being left to wonder about her life before marrying Mr. Turnblad. This lack of information has led to a range of interpretations and speculation among fans, with some assuming that Mr. Turnblad died in a tragic accident, while others believe that he left Edna for another woman. However, in reality, Mr. Turnblad was simply a casualty of the film's rewrites and budget constraints.

Despite his absence from the film, the character of Mr. Turnblad remains a crucial part of Hairspray's enduring appeal. His presence may have been dropped, but the impact that he had on Edna and her daughter, Tracy, is still deeply felt throughout the story. As Ricki Lake notes, "the absence of Mr. Turnblad may have been a loss for the film, but it also made the story even more focused on Edna and her journey as a character."

In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in Hairspray, with the film being re-released and adapted into a stage musical. However, despite the character of Mr. Turnblad being dropped from the film, his presence remains a topic of conversation among fans. Waters notes that while Mr. Turnblad's absence may have been a necessary part of the film's production, it also means that fans of the film are left with a sense of mystery and intrigue.

As the story of Hairspray continues to evolve, with new adaptations and interpretations emerging, the character of Mr. Turnblad remains a fascinating and enigmatic figure. Despite being dropped from the film, his presence still resonates with fans, who continue to speculate about his fate and the impact that he had on Edna and her daughter, Tracy.

The character of Dad, or rather, Ricki's biological father, Les Waters, may not have been as visible in the film as the other main characters, but his influence on Ricki Lake and the film itself is undeniable. Waters remembers Ricki's mother, Fran Walker, being a big influence on her as a child, and notes that she was a talented singer who encouraged Ricki's love of music from an early age.

Ricki Lake's relationship with her father, Les Waters, is also an important part of her childhood, with Waters remembering that he was a caring and supportive father who encouraged her to pursue her dreams. Despite being removed from the final cut of the film, Les Waters' influence on Ricki Lake and the making of Hairspray is clear, and his portrayal of the character of Dad remains a fascinating and poignant aspect of the film.

In conclusion, while the character of Mr. Turnblad may have been dropped from the film, his presence remains a crucial part of Hairspray's enduring appeal. Through his absence, fans of the film are left with a sense of mystery and intrigue, and the story of Edna and her daughter, Tracy, continues to captivate audiences. As Ricki Lake notes, "the absence of Mr. Turnblad may have been a loss for the film, but it also made the story even more focused on Edna and her journey as a character."