His cross-dressing roles working with Andy Warhol were the subject of seminars and screenings at New York's Columbia University, the Museum of Modern Art and the Museum of the Moving Image.
In 2012, the Berlin International Film Festival honored Montez with a lifetime achievement award in "queer film," calling him "the great drag superstar.".
His screen name was bestowed upon him by avant garde director Jack Smith who adored 1940s actress Maria Montez.
Early in 1967, Mario Montez was the Winner of the Miss All-America Camp Beauty Pageant, held at New York's Town Hall, as documented in The Queen (1968).