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Eating Out With Mink Stole
By Chris Carpenter
As soon as actress Mink Stole opens her mouth to eulogize the deceased in Eating Out: All You Can Eat, scheduled to open in Los Angeles on Oct. 16, fans of Eating Out and Eating Out 2: Sloppy Seconds will find themselves back in hilariously tasteless territory in this third film of the gay-comedy franchise originated by writer-director Q. Allan Brocka.
Reprising her role as Helen from Eating Out 2, Stole plays a woman who is arguably a little too accepting first of her son’s, then her nephew’s, homosexuality. It may begin with the funeral of a major character from the previous entry in the series, but don’t let that fool you into thinking the sequel is in any way a serious drama.
“I was trying really hard to be a good gay mom in the second film,” the outspoken and delightful Stole told the Blade. In the sequel, Stole says her character “has embraced the gay lifestyle wholeheartedly; after all, they call me ‘the coolest mom in the world’ in the film!”
Stole (born Nancy Paine Stoll) is known for her work in virtually all the movies made by longtime friend, gay filmmaker John Waters. She is considered one of the “Dreamlanders,” the name given to Waters’ ensemble of regular cast and crew members.
“John and I first met through a mutual friend back in Provincetown in the 1960s,” explained Stole. “Although we’re both from Baltimore, we lived in different neighborhoods and probably never would have met there.” Stole still lives in Baltimore, directly across the street from the house in which she was raised.
Stole’s work with Waters has yielded many personal favorites among her various roles. “I have several: Taffy Davenport in Female Trouble; Pink Flamingos I love because it was such a shocker and made such a statement; and I loved working with Kathleen Turner in Serial Mom.”
“It’s not every actor who gets to say to Kathleen Turner, ‘You’re a mother-f—ing c—sucker,’” Stole said of her turn as the prim and proper Dottie Hinkle in Serial Mom. Stole still keeps in touch with Turner, of whom she’s quite fond.
Among all her collaborations with Waters is her notable performance as Corny Collins’ assistant, Tammy, in the original 1988 version of Hairspray, which went from being a well-received film to becoming a splashy Broadway musical, and finally returning to the screen as a big-budget movie musical.
“I liked [the original] Hairspray a great deal and it’s so much fun, but I never thought it would have the life it has had,” said Stole. “But then, I never thought any of the films we made would have the life they’ve had.”
Other LGBT-interest films Stole has appeared in that weren’t directed by Waters include But I’m a Cheerleader, Leather Jacket Love Story, Splendor and Out at the Wedding. “I’m thrilled to have so many gay fans,” said Stole. “We act to do good work, but our fans make the opportunities possible. I worry about young, gay kids, so every time there is a message that it’s OK to be who you are, it’s a good thing.”
It is this concern that led Stole to the Eating Out series. “I think it’s really important that the message be as loud and persistent as possible.”
The third film in the franchise centers on the efforts of Helen’s young nephew, new-to-town Casey (Daniel Skelton), to win over the local Larry Craig LGBT Center’s volunteer manager (Chris Salvatore). Of course, it wouldn’t be an Eating Out movie if outrageous complications didn’t ensue, many of them engineered by the returning Tiffani, once again portrayed by the funny Rebekah Kochan. Leslie Jordan of Sordid Lives and Will & Grace fame is also featured.
Stole, who despite once being engaged, has always been single “partly by choice and partly by fate” and is a dedicated supporter of same-sex marriage. “I’m all for it,” she exclaimed. “Why not? If two people want to make a commitment, they should be able to.
“I don’t understand why straight people seem to think the expansion of rights is a threat to themselves,” she continued. Stole likened the national battle over the right for same-sex partners to marry to the fight over women’s right to vote in 1920. “People said back then that the nation would go to hell if women were allowed to vote, and we’re still here.”
Along with staying busy singing in her own band, Stole has several other movies awaiting release and hopes to film Waters’ next anticipated project — a holiday-themed comedy called Fruitcake.
“I’m still doing new things,” she said. “I’m a firm believer that it’s never too late to try new stuff. I love for people to take chances. Jumping off cliffs is good for the soul…although not literally.”