Kathy Bates

Kathy Bates

Acting
Born 1948-06-28Memphis, Tennessee, USA

Biography

Kathleen Doyle Bates (born June 28, 1948) is an American actress and director. She has been the recipient of numerous accolades, including an Academy Award, two Primetime Emmy Awards, and two Golden Globe Awards. Born in Memphis, Tennessee, she studied theatre at the Southern Methodist University before moving to New York City to pursue an acting career. She landed minor stage roles before being cast in her first on screen role in Taking Off (1971). Her first Off-Broadway stage performance was in the 1976 production of Vanities. Throughout the 1970s and early 1980s, she continued to perform on screen and on stage, and garnered a Tony Award nomination for Best Lead Actress in a Play in 1983 for her performance in 'night, Mother, and won an Obie Award in 1988 for her performance in Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune. Bates' performance as Annie Wilkes in the tense psychological thriller Misery (1990) marked her Hollywood breakthrough, winning her the Academy Award for Best Actress. Further acclaim came for her starring role in Dolores Claiborne (1995), The Waterboy (1998), and supporting roles in Fried Green Tomatoes (1991) and Titanic (1997). Bates received subsequent Oscar nods in the Best Supporting Actress category for her work in Primary Colors (1998), About Schmidt (2002), and Richard Jewell (2019). Bates' television work has resulted in 14 Emmy Award nominations, including two for her leading role on the NBC series Harry's Law (2011–12). She won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for her appearance on the ninth season of Two and a Half Men (2012) and the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Movie for her portrayal of Delphine LaLaurie on the third season of American Horror Story (2013). She also received accolades for her portrayal of Miss Hannigan in the 1999 television adaptation of Annie. Her directing credits include several episodes of the HBO television series Six Feet Under (2001–03) and the television film Ambulance Girl (2005).

Movies (117)

Titanic
7.9

Titanic

1997Movie7.9
The Blind Side
7.7

The Blind Side

2009Movie7.7
Bee Movie
6.1

Bee Movie

2007Movie6.1
The Day the Earth Stood Still
5.7

The Day the Earth Stood Still

2008Movie5.7
Misery
7.8

Misery

1990Movie7.8
Midnight in Paris
7.5

Midnight in Paris

2011Movie7.5
Around the World in 80 Days
6.0

Around the World in 80 Days

2004Movie6.0
The Golden Compass
6.1

The Golden Compass

2007Movie6.1
Failure to Launch
5.9

Failure to Launch

2006Movie5.9
Richard Jewell
7.4

Richard Jewell

2019Movie7.4
Revolutionary Road
7.0

Revolutionary Road

2008Movie7.0
Valentine's Day
5.9

Valentine's Day

2010Movie5.9
Fried Green Tomatoes
7.7

Fried Green Tomatoes

1991Movie7.7
Charlotte's Web
6.2

Charlotte's Web

2006Movie6.2
A Family Affair
5.8

A Family Affair

2024Movie5.8
Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.
7.1

Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.

2023Movie7.1
Dolores Claiborne
7.3

Dolores Claiborne

1995Movie7.3
The Waterboy
6.1

The Waterboy

1998Movie6.1
Boychoir
6.8

Boychoir

2015Movie6.8
Rumor Has It...
5.7

Rumor Has It...

2005Movie5.7
P.S. I Love You
7.2

P.S. I Love You

2007Movie7.2
Rat Race
6.3

Rat Race

2001Movie6.3
About Schmidt
6.9

About Schmidt

2002Movie6.9
Straight Time
7.1

Straight Time

1978Movie7.1
The Highwaymen
6.8

The Highwaymen

2019Movie6.8
A Civil Action
6.5

A Civil Action

1998Movie6.5
Fred Claus
5.9

Fred Claus

2007Movie5.9
Shadows and Fog
6.7

Shadows and Fog

1991Movie6.7
White Palace
6.6

White Palace

1990Movie6.6
Dick Tracy
6.2

Dick Tracy

1990Movie6.2
Bad Santa 2
5.4

Bad Santa 2

2016Movie5.4
Primary Colors
6.3

Primary Colors

1998Movie6.3
Little Black Book
5.4

Little Black Book

2004Movie5.4
Tammy
5.3

Tammy

2014Movie5.3
You May Not Kiss the Bride
5.6

You May Not Kiss the Bride

2011Movie5.6
The Boss
5.8

The Boss

2016Movie5.8
Unconditional Love
6.0

Unconditional Love

2002Movie6.0
On the Basis of Sex
7.3

On the Basis of Sex

2018Movie7.3
Personal Effects
6.0

Personal Effects

2009Movie6.0
Diabolique
5.5

Diabolique

1996Movie5.5
Dragonfly
6.6

Dragonfly

2002Movie6.6
A Little Bit of Heaven
6.3

A Little Bit of Heaven

2011Movie6.3
The Great Lillian Hall
7.0

The Great Lillian Hall

2024Movie7.0
The Great Gilly Hopkins
6.6

The Great Gilly Hopkins

2015Movie6.6
Love Liza
6.4

Love Liza

2002Movie6.4
Celebrity Naked Ambition
5.3

Celebrity Naked Ambition

2003Movie5.3
Complete Unknown
5.2

Complete Unknown

2016Movie5.2
The Miracle Club
6.3

The Miracle Club

2023Movie6.3
Happy Birthday Elizabeth: A Celebration of Life
7.3

Happy Birthday Elizabeth: A Celebration of Life

1997Movie7.3
North
5.0

North

1994Movie5.0
Declaration of Independence
7.7

Declaration of Independence

2003Movie7.7
American Outlaws
5.9

American Outlaws

2001Movie5.9
Summer Camp
5.4

Summer Camp

2024Movie5.4
Relative Strangers
5.3

Relative Strangers

2006Movie5.3
Annie
6.5

Annie

1999Movie6.5
The Good, The Bad, and the Beautiful
10.0

The Good, The Bad, and the Beautiful

1996Movie10.0
The Bridge of San Luis Rey
5.2

The Bridge of San Luis Rey

2004Movie5.2
Prelude to a Kiss
5.6

Prelude to a Kiss

1992Movie5.6
Murder Ordained
5.0

Murder Ordained

1987Movie5.0
Chéri
6.1

Chéri

2009Movie6.1
A Home of Our Own
7.0

A Home of Our Own

1993Movie7.0
Angus
6.6

Angus

1995Movie6.6
The Death & Life of John F. Donovan
6.9

The Death & Life of John F. Donovan

2019Movie6.9
Tyler Perry's The Family That Preys
6.9

Tyler Perry's The Family That Preys

2008Movie6.9
Two of a Kind
5.8

Two of a Kind

1983Movie5.8
The Cutting Edge: The Magic of Movie Editing
7.0

The Cutting Edge: The Magic of Movie Editing

2004Movie7.0
At Play in the Fields of the Lord
6.6

At Play in the Fields of the Lord

1991Movie6.6
Arthur 2: On the Rocks
5.5

Arthur 2: On the Rocks

1988Movie5.5
Warm Springs
6.6

Warm Springs

2005Movie6.6
The Morning After
6.0

The Morning After

1986Movie6.0
The War at Home
7.0

The War at Home

1996Movie7.0
The Late Shift
6.4

The Late Shift

1996Movie6.4
Home
6.7

Home

2021Movie6.7
Summer Heat
4.6

Summer Heat

1987Movie4.6
Reflections on Titanic
7.2

Reflections on Titanic

2012Movie7.2
Hannibal Hopkins & Sir Anthony
4.7

Hannibal Hopkins & Sir Anthony

2021Movie4.7
Krystal
5.1

Krystal

2018Movie5.1
Living and Working in Space: The Countdown Has Begun
5.0

Living and Working in Space: The Countdown Has Begun

1993Movie5.0
Rob Reiner – Scenes from a Life

Rob Reiner – Scenes from a Life

2025Movie
My Best Friend Is a Vampire
6.0

My Best Friend Is a Vampire

1987Movie6.0
Bonneville
5.6

Bonneville

2006Movie5.6
Used People
5.8

Used People

1992Movie5.8
Bruno
6.5

Bruno

2000Movie6.5
Guilty Hearts
5.8

Guilty Hearts

2007Movie5.8
Swept from the Sea
6.4

Swept from the Sea

1998Movie6.4
Christmas Is Here Again
4.3

Christmas Is Here Again

2007Movie4.3
Curse of the Starving Class
4.6

Curse of the Starving Class

1994Movie4.6
Making Rat Race

Making Rat Race

2002Movie
My Sister's Keeper
7.2

My Sister's Keeper

2002Movie7.2
Popeye's Voyage: The Quest for Pappy
6.8

Popeye's Voyage: The Quest for Pappy

2004Movie6.8
The Smack

The Smack

Movie
Taking Off
6.9

Taking Off

1971Movie6.9
Roe vs. Wade
6.0

Roe vs. Wade

1989Movie6.0
Come Back to the 5 & Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean
5.9

Come Back to the 5 & Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean

1982Movie5.9
Without Lying Down: Frances Marion and the Power of Women in Hollywood
7.7

Without Lying Down: Frances Marion and the Power of Women in Hollywood

2000Movie7.7
Men Don't Leave
6.3

Men Don't Leave

1990Movie6.3
Baby Steps
10.0

Baby Steps

1999Movie10.0
The Legend of Pancho Barnes and the Happy Bottom Riding Club
6.2

The Legend of Pancho Barnes and the Happy Bottom Riding Club

2009Movie6.2
Talking With

Talking With

1995Movie
The West Side Waltz
6.2

The West Side Waltz

1995Movie6.2
No Place Like Home
6.7

No Place Like Home

1989Movie6.7
High Stakes
3.4

High Stakes

1989Movie3.4
Hostages
6.1

Hostages

1992Movie6.1
Tupperware!
7.5

Tupperware!

2004Movie7.5
Johnny Bull
5.5

Johnny Bull

1986Movie5.5
Cadaver
3.0

Cadaver

2012Movie3.0
Six Feet Under: In Memoriam
8.7

Six Feet Under: In Memoriam

2005Movie8.7
Signs of Life
4.9

Signs of Life

1989Movie4.9
Titanic: Stories from the Heart
7.0

Titanic: Stories from the Heart

2023Movie7.0
Return to the 5 & Dime: An Interview with Ed Graczyk

Return to the 5 & Dime: An Interview with Ed Graczyk

2014Movie
Titanic: Breaking New Ground
7.0

Titanic: Breaking New Ground

1998Movie7.0
The Road to Mecca
5.5

The Road to Mecca

1991Movie5.5
Ambulance Girl
5.6

Ambulance Girl

2005Movie5.6
Moments of Discovery: The Making of Fried Green Tomatoes
9.0

Moments of Discovery: The Making of Fried Green Tomatoes

1998Movie9.0
Misery Loves Company
8.0

Misery Loves Company

2003Movie8.0
The Effects of Magic
4.5

The Effects of Magic

1998Movie4.5
Hansel and Gretel

Hansel and Gretel

2005Movie

TV Shows (46)

Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen
4.9

Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen

2009Series4.9
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
6.1

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

2015Series6.1
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
7.5

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

1962Series7.5
The Office
8.6

The Office

2005Series8.6
American Dad!
7.0

American Dad!

2005Series7.0
The Daily Show
6.4

The Daily Show

1996Series6.4
The Kelly Clarkson Show
6.3

The Kelly Clarkson Show

2019Series6.3
Two and a Half Men
7.5

Two and a Half Men

2003Series7.5
King of the Hill
7.4

King of the Hill

1997Series7.4
American Horror Story
8.1

American Horror Story

2011Series8.1
The Jennifer Hudson Show
5.6

The Jennifer Hudson Show

2022Series5.6
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
5.3

Jimmy Kimmel Live!

2003Series5.3
The Love Boat
6.3

The Love Boat

1977Series6.3
The View
4.3

The View

1997Series4.3
Golden Globe Awards
7.0

Golden Globe Awards

1944Series7.0
The Big Bang Theory
7.9

The Big Bang Theory

2007Series7.9
American Playhouse
6.6

American Playhouse

1982Series6.6
Six Feet Under
8.1

Six Feet Under

2001Series8.1
L.A. Law
7.1

L.A. Law

1986Series7.1
Great Performances
6.1

Great Performances

1971Series6.1
American Experience
6.5

American Experience

1988Series6.5
The Ellen DeGeneres Show
5.6

The Ellen DeGeneres Show

2003Series5.6
3rd Rock from the Sun
7.5

3rd Rock from the Sun

1996Series7.5
St. Elsewhere
5.7

St. Elsewhere

1982Series5.7
Variety Studio: Actors on Actors
4.2

Variety Studio: Actors on Actors

2014Series4.2
Chelsea Lately
4.5

Chelsea Lately

2007Series4.5
Cagney & Lacey
6.9

Cagney & Lacey

1982Series6.9
Mike & Molly
6.7

Mike & Molly

2010Series6.7
Matlock
7.0

Matlock

2024Series7.0
Chelsea
5.1

Chelsea

2016Series5.1
The Oscars
7.0

The Oscars

1953Series7.0
China Beach
7.4

China Beach

1988Series7.4
FEUD
7.6

FEUD

2017Series7.6
Lip Sync Battle
6.4

Lip Sync Battle

2015Series6.4
The Stand
6.8

The Stand

1994Series6.8
Harry's Law
7.5

Harry's Law

2011Series7.5
Off Script with The Hollywood Reporter
2.9

Off Script with The Hollywood Reporter

2023Series2.9
Shelley Duvall's Bedtime Stories
9.5

Shelley Duvall's Bedtime Stories

1992Series9.5
Disjointed
6.2

Disjointed

2017Series6.2
Alice
6.6

Alice

2009Series6.6
Stand Up to Cancer
7.8

Stand Up to Cancer

2008Series7.8
The Emmy Awards
7.9

The Emmy Awards

1949Series7.9
Murder Ordained
5.1

Murder Ordained

1987Series5.1
MADtv
7.1

MADtv

1995Series7.1
Hallmark Hall of Fame
8.8

Hallmark Hall of Fame

1951Series8.8
Inside the Actors Studio

Inside the Actors Studio

1994Series