The 200 people on the guest list for John Waters' annual Christmas party discovered one thing missing at his North Baltimore home — the host. The famed filmmaker and author spent that night, Dec. 23, at the hospital because of a kidney stone.

Waters' holiday gathering is traditionally an off-the-record affair, but word of the unusual situation this year started to spread. So did concern for Waters.

“The party was private, my health is private,” Waters said in an email last week. “I guess one [of the guests] blabbed. Most didn't. I am completely fine and [the] whole thing is ridiculous and blown out of proportion. I had a kidney stone. It hurt. Lots. Went to hospital and got excellent treatment and was home the next day.”

The 70-year-old Waters, who recently completed an 18-city tour of his one-man show “A John Waters Christmas,” heard from some guests that Friday's party felt “more subdued,” but “others stayed until 2:30 a.m.”

The creator of the popular movie “Hairspray” and assorted cult film classics spent Christmas Day at the home of a niece with other relatives, “as planned,” Waters said. He also expected to stick to his other plans over the break.

—Tim Smith