Kathleen Doyle “Kathy” Bates is an American actress, who is most notable for the portrayal in the 1990 film of Misery, where she portrayed the role of Annie Wilkes. Bates was born on June 20, 1948 in Memphis, Tennessee, to Bertye Kathleen and Longdon Doyle Bates, a Homemaker and a mechanical engineer. Bates was the youngest of three children and graduated from the White Station High School. She then entered the Southern Methodist University, where she took major in Theater. She also became one of members of the Alpha Delta Pi sorority and graduated in the year 1969. She subsequently relocated to New York City in year 1970 to continue her acting profession.
On the other hand, her Broadway appearances include her Lanford Wilson’s Fifth of July and Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean, which also includes the stars of Karen Black and Cher. She then earned a nomination from the Tony Award in for her stage role in the Pulitzer Prize-winning play of ‘night, Mother, together with Anne Pitoniak. In addition, the said production ran for more than a year. Bates also appeared on the off Broadway play production of Terrence McNally called, Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune, which was ran for 533 performances. However, her first feature film was in the 1971 film of Milos Forman comedy entitled, Taking Off. She then appeared in the 1978 Dustin Hoffman vehicle, Straight Time.
Bates continued on appearing in various films like the Summer Heat ad The Morning After. She also appeared as a guest star in the TV shows of L.A. Law. She then portrayed the leading role of Annie Wilkes in the 1990 thriller film entitled, Misery. For her portrayal on the said film, Bates earned her first nomination for the Academy Award, garnering the Best Actress award. She also starred together with Jessica Tandy in the 1991 film of Fried Green Tomatoes. In year 1997, Bates made her first appearance in a soap opera on the NBC’s soap opera called, The Doctors, where she portrayed the role of Phyllis. From year 1983 up to year 1984, Bates portrayed the role of Belle in the soap opera of All My Children.
In year 2002, Bates earned her third nomination for her portrayal in the dark comedy of About Schmidt. On the other hand, Bates and Terry Bradshaw appeared in the 2006 film of Failure to Launch. She also made a short appearance in the miniseries of Stephen King entitled, The Stand. Also in year 2006, Bates directed and starred in Have Mercy, together with Melanie Griffin. In year 2008, she collaborated with her Titanic co-stars Leonardo DiCarpio and Kate Winslet in the American drama film of Revolutionary Road. In addition, Bates was included in the casts of the comedy-drama TV series of NBC called, Harry’s Law, which started to air on NBC network on January 2011.
