John Waters (October 31, 1893 – May 5, 1965) was an American film director, second unit director and, initially, an assistant director. His career began in the early days of silent film and culminated in two consecutive Academy Award nominations in the newly instituted category of Best Assistant Director. The second nomination, for MGM's "Viva Villa!", won him an Oscar statuette at the 7th Academy Awards on February 27, 1935.