Kathy Bates is a woman of many hats with an impressive ability to transform herself, and her life in photos proves it.
The Matlock actress, 78, was born Kathleen Doyle Bates on June 28, 1948, in Memphis, Tennessee, the youngest of three daughters of Bertye Kathleen Talbert, a homemaker, and Langdon Bates, a mechanical engineer.
She been acting in 1970, when she moved to New York City after graduating from Southern Methodist University, making her debut with a minor role in the Miloš Forman comedy Taking Off, though she did not appear in a feature film again until she appeared opposite Dustin Hoffman in Straight Time in 1978, instead working in theatre and television for much of the 1970s and early 1980s.
Keep reading for photos of the American Horror Story alum throughout the years.
© Getty ImagesBecoming a stage legend
After making her screen debut in 1970, Kathy focused on her stage work, performing in Wayside Theatre’s traveling group in 1973, ultimately making her Broadway debut in Goodbye Fidel in 1980, and starring in Fifth of July the following year. She earned her first Tony nomination and win for best lead actress for her role as Jessie Cates in the 1983-1984 production of the play ‘night, Mother, pictured above.
© Getty ImagesHollywood breakthrough
Kathy’s Hollywood breakthrough in 1990, starring as Annie Wilkes in Misery, based on the Stephen King novel of the same name, earned her both a Golden Globe and an Oscar.
© Getty ImagesA 20-year-relationship
From 1977 to 1997, Kathy was in a relationship with fellow actor Tony Campisi, with whom she was set up by friends, dating for 13 years before tying the knot in 1991.
© Penske Media via Getty ImagesKathy’s health
Kathy has battled cancer twice, first ovarian cancer in 2003, and later breast cancer in 2012, after which she developed lymphedema after her lymph nodes were removed during her double mastectomy. In 2017, she was diagnosed in Type 2 diabetes, and she has also been candid about her recent weight loss, losing about 100 pounds in the span of seven years.
Read the full article here
