Join or Sign In

Continue with Facebook Continue with email

By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy.

Kathy Bates Biography

Birth Name:Kathleen Doyle Bates

Birth Place:Memphis, Tennessee, United States

Profession Actress, Soundtrack, Director, Producer

Fast Facts

Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2016
Received the Research!America Isadore Rosenfeld Award for Impact on Public Opinion in 2017
Has served as the Executive Committee Chair of the Actors Branch of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Board of Governors
Graduated from Southern Methodist University in 1969
After graduating from college, she decided to move to New York City to pursue acting
Quote: "My mother used to tell this corny story about how the doctor smacked me on the behind when I was born and I thought it was applause and I have been looking for it ever since․"
Quote: "[on memorable roles] "It's the ones that you've crafted well that stay with you and that you miss and that you feel proud of․""
Well known for portraying villainous characters
Auditioned for the main cast of "Three's Company," but did not get the part ultimately given to Joyce Dewitt
Was featured in a photograph with her aunt in a scene of the 1990 film "Misery․"

Awards

1990NYFCC Award-Best Actress: nominated
1991Oscar-Best Actress in a Leading Role: winner
1991CFCA Award-Most Promising Actress: nominated
1991CFCA Award-Best Actress: winner
1991DFWFCA Award-Best Actress: winner
1991Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama: winner
1992Saturn Award-Best Actress: nominated
1992Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical: nominated
1993BAFTA Film Award-Best Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
1994CableACE-Supporting Actress in a Movie or Miniseries: nominated
1995Razzie Award-Worst Supporting Actress: nominated
1996Saturn Award-Best Actress: nominated
1996CFCA Award-Best Actress: nominated
1996Chlotrudis Award-Best Actress: nominated
1996Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Special: nominated
1997Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a TV Movie or Miniseries: winner
1997American Comedy Award-Funniest Female Performer in a TV Special (Leading or Supporting) Network, Cable or Syndication: winner
1997Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: winner
1997Golden Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: winner
1998Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast: nominated
1998ACCA-Best Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
1998Blockbuster Entertainment Award-Favorite Supporting Actress - Drama: winner
1998Sierra Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
1998LAFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
1998SDFCS Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
1999Oscar-Best Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
1999Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role: winner
1999American Comedy Award-Funniest Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture: winner
1999BAFTA Film Award-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
1999Blockbuster Entertainment Award-Favorite Supporting Actress - Comedy: winner
1999Blockbuster Entertainment Award-Favorite Supporting Actress - Drama: winner
1999CFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
1999Chlotrudis Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
1999Critics Choice Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
1999Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture: nominated
1999OFTA Film Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
1999OFTA Film Award-Best Comedy/Musical Actress: nominated
1999OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
1999OFCS Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
1999Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries or a Movie: nominated
1999Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
1999Golden Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical: nominated
1999SEFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2000Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries: nominated
2000American Comedy Award-Funniest Female Performer in a TV Special (Leading or Supporting) Network, Cable or Syndication: winner
2000Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
2000OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture or Miniseries: winner
2000Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie: nominated
2000Golden Satellite Award-Best Performance by an Actress in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
2002ACCA-Best Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
2002Golden Schmoes-Best Supporting Actress of the Year: nominated
2002Sierra Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2002LAFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2002NBR Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
2002OFTA Television Award-Best Direction in a Drama Series: nominated
2002SDFCS Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2002TFCA Award-Best Supporting Performance, Female: nominated
2002WAFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
2003Oscar-Best Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
2003Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
2003Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries: nominated
2003COFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2003CFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2003Critics Choice Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2003DFWFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
2003Gold Derby Film Award-Supporting Actress: nominated
2003Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture: nominated
2003INOCA-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2003NSFC Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2003OFTA Film Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2003OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
2003OFCS Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2003PFCS Award-Best Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
2003Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
2003Golden Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Supporting Role, Drama: nominated
2003Golden Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
2003VFCC Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2004DGA Award-Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series - Night: nominated
2004OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
2005OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture or Miniseries: nominated
2005Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie: nominated
2006OFTA Television Award-Best Actress in a Motion Picture or Miniseries: nominated
2006Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie: nominated
2006Prism Award-Performance in a TV Movie or Miniseries: nominated
2009Movies for Grownups Award-Best Buddy Picture: winner
2009Ensemble Cast Award-: winner
2010Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Guest Actress: nominated
2010Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Movie: nominated
2011Felix-Best Actress: winner
2011OFTA Television Award-Best Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
2011PFCS Award-Best Ensemble Acting: nominated
2011Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
2012Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
2012Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
2012Gold Derby Film Award-Ensemble Cast: nominated
2012OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2012Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: winner
2012Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
2014Saturn Award-Best Supporting Actress on Television: nominated
2014Critics' Choice TV Award-Best Supporting Actress in a Movie/Miniseries: nominated
2014Gold Derby TV Award-TV Movie/Mini Supporting Actress: nominated
2014OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture or Miniseries: winner
2014OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2014Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie: winner
2014Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
2015Gold Derby TV Award-TV Movie/Mini Supporting Actress: nominated
2015Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
2015OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture or Miniseries: winner
2015OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2015Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or a Movie: nominated
2016BTVA Anime Dub Movie/Special Voice Acting Award-Best Vocal Ensemble in an Anime Feature Film/Special: nominated
2016Critics' Choice TV Award-Best Actress in a Movie Made for Television or Limited Series: nominated
2016OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture or Limited Series: nominated
2016Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or a Movie: nominated
2017Saturn Award-Best Supporting Actress on Television: nominated
2017iHorror Award-Best Actress - Horror Series: nominated
2019DFCS Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2019Gold Derby TV Award-TV Movie/Mini Supporting Actress of the Decade: winner
2019IFJA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2019NBR Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
2019NTFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2019WIN Award-Supporting Actress Feature Film: nominated
2020Oscar-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
2020CinEuphoria-Best Ensemble - International Competition: nominated
2020GAFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2020Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture: nominated
2020HFCS Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2020HFCS Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2020Huading Award-Best Global Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture: nominated
2023HCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2023OFTA Film Hall of Fame-Character: winner
2025AAFCA Award-Best Actress: winner
2025Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
2025Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series: nominated
2025Astra TV Award-Best Actress in a Drama Series: winner
2025Critics Choice Award-Best Actress in a Drama Series: winner
2025Gold Derby TV Award-Drama Actress: nominated
2025Golden Globe-Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Series - Drama: nominated
2025Gotham TV Award-Breakthrough Drama Series: nominated
2025Gotham TV Award-Outstanding Lead Performance in a Drama Series: winner
2025Gracie-Actress in a Leading Role - Drama: winner
2025OFTA Television Award-Best Actress in a Drama Series: winner
2025Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
2025Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Series, Drama or Genre: winner
2025TCA Award-Individual Achievement in Drama: nominated
2025WIN Award-Outstanding Actress Drama Series: nominated
2026Movies for Grownups Award-Best Actress - Television: winner
2026Critics Choice Award-Best Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
2026Golden Globe-Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Series - Drama: nominated
2026Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Series, Drama or Genre: nominated