Biography
Kathy Bates is an American actress. Born in Memphis, Tennessee, she studied theatre at Southern Methodist University before moving to New York City, where she began with minor stage and screen roles.
She received a Tony Award nomination for her performance in 'night, Mother (1983) and an Obie Award for Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune (1988). Her breakthrough came with the role of Annie Wilkes in Misery (1990), for which she won the Academy Award for Best Actress. She has since appeared in films including Fried Green Tomatoes (1991), Dolores Claiborne (1995), Titanic (1997), Primary Colors (1998), About Schmidt (2002) and The Blind Side (2009).
Bates has also worked extensively in television, with roles in series such as The Office, Harry's Law and American Horror Story, earning multiple Emmy Award nominations. In 2023 she played Sylvia Simon in Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.
