Kathleen Doyle Bates is an American actress and director. Known for her roles in comedic and dramatic films and television programs, she has received various accolades throughout her career spanning …
Kathy Bates is an American actress and director who has won numerous awards for her performances in film, television and theater. She is best known for her roles in Misery, Titanic, Dolores Claiborne, Fried Green Tomatoes, Primary Colors, American Horror Story and Richard Jewell. She has also directed several episodes of Six Feet Under, Harry’s Law and The Office.
Bates was born in Memphis, Tennessee, and studied theater at Southern Methodist University. She began her career on stage, appearing in off-Broadway and regional productions. She made her film debut in Taking Off in 1971, and gained recognition for her role as the unsinkable Molly Brown in the 1980 musical The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. She received critical acclaim and an Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of Annie Wilkes, a psychotic fan who kidnaps and tortures her favorite author, in the 1990 thriller Misery. She was the first woman to win an Oscar for a horror film.
Bates has since starred in a variety of genres, from comedy to drama to fantasy. She earned Oscar nominations for her roles as a maid accused of murder in Dolores Claiborne, a political adviser in Primary Colors, and a mother of a bombing suspect in Richard Jewell. She has also won two Golden Globes, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, two Emmy Awards and a Tony Award nomination. She is one of the few actors to have achieved the Triple Crown of Acting.
Bates is also known for her versatility and range, playing characters of different ages, backgrounds and personalities. She has portrayed historical figures such as Gertrude Stein, Elizabeth I and Queen Victoria, as well as fictional characters such as Madame LaLaurie, Ethel Darling and Agnes Mary Winstead in the anthology series American Horror Story. She has also lent her voice to animated films such as Charlotte’s Web, The Golden Compass and The Boss Baby.
Bates is an advocate for women’s rights, animal rights and cancer awareness. She is a survivor of ovarian and breast cancer, and has spoken publicly about her experiences and treatments. She is also a supporter of the Actors Fund of America and the American Film Institute. She has been honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the National Medal of Arts and the AFI Life Achievement Award.