Kathleen Doyle Bates was born in Memphis, Tennessee on June 28, 1948. She is the daughter of homemaker Bertye Kathleen Bates and mechanical engineer Langdon Doyle Bates (also has two older sisters: Mary and Patricia Bates). Her education includes White Station High School and a major in Theatre at Southern Methodist University. She has brown hair, blue eyes and is 5'3" tall.
She first took to the stage while at White Station High School where she appeared in many theatrical productions. After graduation, she enrolled at the Southern Methodist University in Dallas. Though she originally intended to study English, she soon changed her major to Theatre, emerging in 1969 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. She moved to New York and started supporting herself by working as a singing waitress at a Catskills resort and as a gift shop cashier at New York's Museum of Modern Art. Her film debut occurred with 1971's Taking Off, yet casting directors just couldn't get past her looks and she had difficulties in getting better roles. She went on to play small roles in Straight Time (1978), Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean (1982), Summer Heat (1987), Arthur 2: On the Rocks (1988), Men Don't Leave (1990), Dick Tracy (1990) and White Palace (1990).
She received an Academy Award (Best Actress) for her breakthrough screen performance as the psychotic Annie Wilkes in Misery (1990). As she has quoted: "The Oscar changed everything. Better salary, working with better people, better projects, more exposure, less privacy.". Now having an Oscar meant she could land roles in movies such as Fried Green Tomatoes (1991), A Prelude to a Kiss (1992), Dolores Claiborne (1995), Titanic (1997), and Primary Colors (1998). Bates would subsequently direct episodes of the HBO drama series Six Feet Under and has recently starred in About Schmidt for which she received her third Oscar nomination.
Awards and Nominations:
1991 - Won an Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role
for: Misery (1990)
1991 - Won a CFCA Award for Best Actress for: Misery (1990)
1991 - Won a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama for: Misery (1990)
1992 - Nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Comedy/Musical for: Fried Green Tomatoes (1991)
1993 - Nominated for a BAFTA Film Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for: Fried Green Tomatoes (1991)
1995 - Nominated for a Razzie Award for Worst Supporting Actress for: North (1994)
1996 - Nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Special for: Late Shift, The (1996) (TV)
1997 - Won an American Comedy Award for Funniest Female Performer in a TV Special (Leading or Supporting) Network, Cable or Syndication for: Late Shift, The (1996) (TV)
1997 - Won a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV for: Late Shift, The (1996) (TV)
1997 - Won a Golden Satellite Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television for: Late Shift, The (1996) (TV)
1997 - Won an Actor Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a TV Movie or Miniseries for: Late Shift, The (1996) (TV)
1998 - Won a Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Favorite Supporting Actress - Drama for: Titanic (1997)
1998 - Won a Sierra Award for Best Supporting Actress
for: Primary Colors (1998)
1998 - Won a SDFCS Award for Best Supporting Actress
for: Primary Colors (1998)
1998 - Nominated for an Actor Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast for: Titanic (1997)
1999 - Nominated for an Oscar for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for: Primary Colors (1998)
1999 - Won an American Comedy Award for Funniest Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture for: Primary Colors (1998)
1999 - Nominated for a BAFTA Film Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role for: Primary Colors (1998)
1999 - Won a Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Favorite Supporting Actress - Comedy for: Waterboy, The (1998)
1999 - Won a Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Favorite Supporting Actress - Drama for: Primary Colors (1998)
1999 - Won a BFCA Award for Best Supporting Actress
for: Primary Colors (1998)
1999 - Won a CFCA Award for Best Supporting Actress
for: Primary Colors (1998)
1999 - Nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries or a Movie for: Dash and Lilly (1999) (TV)
1999 - Nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for: "3rd Rock from the Sun" (1996)
1999 - Nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture for: Primary Colors (1998)
1999 - Nominated for a Golden Satellite Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical for: Primary Colors (1998)
1999 - Nominated for an OFCS Award for Best Supporting Actress for: Primary Colors (1998)
1999 - Won an Actor Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role for: Primary Colors (1998)
2000 - Won an American Comedy Award for Funniest Female Performer in a TV Special (Leading or Supporting) Network, Cable or Syndication for: Annie (1999) (TV)
2000 - Nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Movie for: Annie (1999) (TV)
2000 - Nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV for: Annie (1999) (TV)
2000 - Nominated for an Actor Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries for: Annie (1999) (TV)
2002 - Won a NBR Award for Best Supporting Actress
for: About Schmidt (2002)
2003 - Nominated for an Oscar for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role for: About Schmidt (2002)
2003 - Nominated for a CFCA Award for Best Supporting Actress for: About Schmidt (2002)
2003 - Won a DFWFCA Award for Best Supporting Actress
for: About Schmidt (2002)
2003 - Nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
for: About Schmidt (2002)
2003 - Nominated for a Golden Satellite Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television for: My Sister's Keeper (2002) (TV)
2003 - Nominated for a Golden Satellite Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role, Drama
for: About Schmidt (2002)
2003 - Nominated for a OFCS Award for Best Supporting Actress for: About Schmidt (2002)
2003 - Nominated for an Actor Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role
for: About Schmidt (2002)
2003 - Nominated for an Actor Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries for: My Sister's Keeper (2002) (TV)
Filmography:
As an Actress:
Bridge of San Luis Rey, The (2004) (filming)
Around the World in 80 Days (2003) (filming) .... Queen Victoria
Tulse Luper Suitcases, The (2003) (completed)
Unconditional Love (2002) .... Grace Beasley
About Schmidt (2002) .... Roberta Hertzel
Dragonfly (2002) .... Mrs. Belmont
My Sister's Keeper (2002) (TV) .... Christine Chapman
Love Liza (2002) .... Mary Ann Bankhead
American Outlaws (2001) .... Ma James
Rat Race (2001) (uncredited) .... The Squirrel Lady
Bruno (2000) .... Mother Superior
Baby Steps (1999)
Annie (1999) (TV) .... Miss Hannigan
Civil Action, A (1998) (uncredited) .... Bankruptcy Judge
Waterboy, The (1998) .... Helen 'Mama' Boucher
Effects of Magic, The (1998) .... Voice of Raphaella, the Magic Bunny
Primary Colors (1998) .... Libby Holden
Titanic Explorer (1997) (VG) (uncredited) (archive footage) .... Margaret Brown
Titanic (1997) .... Mrs. Margaret 'Molly' Brown
Swept from the Sea (1997) .... Miss Swaffer
War at Home, The (1996) .... Maurine Collier
Diabolique (1996) .... Shirley Voguel
Late Shift, The (1996) (TV) .... Helen Kushnick
West Side Waltz, The (1995) (TV) .... Mr. Goo
Angus (1995) .... Meg Bethune
Talking with (1995) (TV)
Dolores Claiborne (1995) .... Dolores Claiborne
Curse of the Starving Class (1994) .... Ella Tate
North (1994) .... Alaskan Mom
"Stand, The" (1994) (mini) TV Series (uncredited) .... Rae Flowers
Home of Our Own, A (1993) .... Frances Lacey
Hostages (1993) (TV) .... Peggy Say
Road to Mecca, The (1992) .... Elsa Barlow
Used People (1992) .... Bibby Berman
Prelude to a Kiss (1992) .... Leah Blier
Shadows and Fog (1992) .... Prostitute
Fried Green Tomatoes (1991) .... Evelyn Couch
At Play in the Fields of the Lord (1991) .... Hazel Quarrier
Misery (1990) .... Annie Wilkes
White Palace (1990) .... Rosemary
Dick Tracy (1990) .... Mrs. Green
Men Don't Leave (1990) .... Lisa Coleman
High Stakes (1989) .... Jill
Signs of Life (1989) .... Mary Beth Alder
No Place Like Home (1989) (TV)
Roe vs. Wade (1989) (TV)
Arthur 2: On the Rocks (1988) .... Mrs. Canby
My Best Friend Is a Vampire (1988) (as Kathy D. Bates) .... Helen Blake
Summer Heat (1987) .... Ruth
Murder Ordained (1987) (TV) .... Bobbi Burk
Johnny Bull (1986) (TV) .... Katherine Kovacs
Morning After, The (1986) .... Woman on Mateo Street
"All My Children" (1970) TV Series .... Belle Bodelle (1984)
Nadia (1984) (TV) (uncredited) .... Romanian Judge
Two of a Kind (1983) .... Furniture Man's Wife
Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean (1982) .... Stella Mae
Straight Time (1978) .... Selma Darin
Taking Off (1971) (as Bobo Bates) .... Audition Singer
As a Director:
"Everwood" (2002) TV Series
"Six Feet Under" (2001) TV Series (episode "An Open Book") (episode 10 "The New Person") (episode 15 "Out, Out, Brief Candle")
Dash and Lilly (1999) (TV)
"Oz" (1997) TV Series (episode "Family Bizness (1998)")
Talking with (1995) (TV)
"NYPD Blue" (1993) TV Series
"Homicide: Life on the Street" (1993) TV Series (episode "Scene of the Crime")
As Herself:
75th Annual Academy Awards, The (2003) (TV) .... Herself - Presenter: Past winner recollections/Past winner
TV Land Awards: A Celebration of Classic TV (2003) (TV) .... Presenter
Without Lying Down: Frances Marion and the Power of Women in Hollywood (2000) (TV) (voice) .... Frances Marion
51st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards, The (1999) (TV) .... Herself
70th Annual Academy Awards, The (1998) (TV) (uncredited) .... Herself (Past Oscar Winner Tribute Sequence)
Titanic: Breaking New Ground (1998) (TV) .... Mrs. Margaret Brown
Good, the Bad & the Beautiful, The (1996) (TV) .... Herself
Living and Working in Space: The Countdown Has Begun (1993) (V) .... Lunar Mom
64th Annual Academy Awards, The (1992) (TV) (uncredited) .... Herself
63rd Annual Academy Awards, The (1991) (TV) .... Herself (winner, Best Actress)
Notable TV Guest Appearances:
"Six Feet Under" (2001) playing "Bettina" in episode: "The Trap" (episode # 3.5) 30 March 2003
"Six Feet Under" (2001) playing "Bettina" in episode: "Nobody Sleeps" (episode # 3.4) 23 March 2003
"Six Feet Under" (2001) playing "Bettina" in episode: "The Eye Inside" (episode # 3.3) 16 March 2003
"Six Feet Under" (2001) playing "Bettina" in episode: "You Never Know" (episode # 3.2) 9 March 2003
"King of the Hill" (1997) playing "Motorcycle Officer" (voice) in episode: "Lupe's Revenge" (episode # 6.5) 12 December 2001
"Mad TV" (1995) playing "Stuart's Grandma" in episode: "Stuart at Grandma's" (episode # 6.2) 14 October 2000
"Mad TV" (1995) playing "Herself" 2000
"3rd Rock from the Sun" (1996) playing "Charlotte Everly" in episode: "Alien Hunter" (episode # 4.20) 4 May 1999
"Adventures from the Book of Virtues" (1996) (voice)
"Inside the Actors Studio" (1994)
"Shelley Duvall's Bedtime Stories" (1992) playing "Herself" (voice) in episode: "Aunt Ippy's Museum of Junk"
"L.A. Law" (1986) playing "Charlotte Haley" in episode: "One Rat, One Ranger" (episode # 4.5) 30 November 1989
"China Beach" (1988) playing "Nurse Jan Wyatt" in episode: "The World: Part 2" (episode # 2.17) 3 May 1989
"St. Elsewhere" (1982) playing "Polly" in episode: "Visiting Daze" (episode # 5.14) 21 January 1987
"Cagney & Lacey" (1982) playing "Brenda Harris" in episode: "Revenge" (episode # 6.9) 8 December 1986
"St. Elsewhere" (1982) playing "Polly" in episode: "Up and Down" (episode # 5.7) 12 November 1986
"Love Boat, The" (1977) playing "Doreen Allison" in episode: "Family Reunion/Too Hot to Handle/Cinderella Story" (episode # 1.13) 7 January 1978
Sources:
http://www.celebritywonder.com/html/kathybates.html
http://www.imdb.com/Name?Bates,+Kathy
http://www.tiscali.co.uk/entertainment/film/biographies/kathy_bates_biog.html
http://www.askmen.com/women/actress_150/170_kathy_bates.html
http://movies.yahoo.com/shop?d=hc&id=1800024073&cf=biog&intl=us