Kathy Bates Movies

Kathleen Doyle Bates, an American actress, has had a successful career spanning over five decades. She is known for her versatile performances in both comedic and dramatic films and television programs. Throughout her career, she has received numerous accolades, including an Academy Award, two Emmy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards.

She initially landed minor roles on stage before making her on-screen debut in the film Taking Off (1971). Her first significant Off-Broadway role came in the play Vanities (1976). In the 1970s and early 1980s, she continued to showcase her talent on both screen and stage, earning a Tony Award nomination for Best Lead Actress in a Play.

Bates achieved widespread recognition and critical acclaim for her portrayal of Annie Wilkes in the thriller Misery (1990), which earned her an Academy Award for Best Actress. She has also received Oscar nominations for her roles in Primary Colors (1998), About Schmidt (2002), and Richard Jewell (2019). Some of her notable films include Fried Green Tomatoes (1991), Dolores Claiborne (1995), Titanic (1997), The Waterboy (1998), Revolutionary Road (2008), The Blind Side (2009), and Midnight in Paris (2011).

In addition to her film career, Bates has made a significant impact on television. She won her first Emmy Award for her guest appearance in the comedy series Two and a Half Men (2012) and her second for her supporting role in the miniseries American Horror Story: Coven (2013). She has also received Emmy nominations for her work in The Late Shift (1996), Annie (1999), Six Feet Under (2003), Warm Springs (2005), Harry’s Law (2011–12), American Horror Story:

Bates achieved a significant breakthrough in her career with her performance in the 1990 horror film Misery, which was based on Stephen King’s novel of the same name. This movie was both a commercial and critical success, and Bates received widespread acclaim for her portrayal of Annie Wilkes. In the same year, she also had a role in Warren Beatty’s crime film Dick Tracy.

 Her exceptional acting skills earned her the Academy Award for Best Actress and the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Drama the following year. Bates’ portrayal of Annie Wilkes was recognized by the American Film Institute, who included her character in their “100 Heroes and Villains” list, ranking her as the 17th-most iconic villain (and sixth-most iconic villainess) in film history.

 She then had a recurring guest role on the NBC sitcom The Office from 2010 to 2011, playing the character Jo Bennett. Bates’ first lead role in a television series came in David E. Kelley’s legal drama Harry’s Law, which premiered on NBC on January 17, 2011. Unfortunately, the show was later canceled on May 14, 2012.

In 2011, she portrayed the renowned art collector Gertrude Stein in Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris. The following year, Bates made a guest appearance on Two and a Half Men, playing the ghost of Charlie Harper in the episode “Why We Gave Up Women,” which aired on April 30, 2012. This guest appearance earned Bates her first Emmy Award, specifically in the category of Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series, after receiving nine nominations.

In 2013, Bates began starring in the third season of the American Horror Story series, titled Coven. Bates credited Ryan Murphy, the creator of American Horror Story, for revitalizing her career. Bates has an impressive list of screen and stage credits, which have earned her widespread recognition and praise.

She has been nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Actress for her portrayal of Annie Wilkes in the psychological thriller film Misery, and Best Supporting Actress for her roles in Primary Colors, About Schmidt, and Richard Jewell. In 1991, she won the Best Actress award for her exceptional performance in Misery.

Bates has also been nominated for the Emmy Awards 14 times, winning the Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series in 2012 for Two and a Half Men, and the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie in 2014 for American Horror Story: Coven. Apart from her 1991 win for Misery, she has also received a Golden Globe and a SAG Award for her supporting role in the television film The Late Shift (1996).