Kathy Bates is best known for her dynamic range and captivating performances, and she has graced the screens for over five decades. As she steps into her latest role as Madeline Matlock in the reboot of the beloved series Matlock, she has announced that this project will likely mark the end of her illustrious career. The 76-year-old star revealed, “This is my last dance,” signaling a farewell to the industry that has both defined and consumed much of her life.
Bates has had a storied career
Kathy Bates’ career has been marked by a series of iconic roles that showcase her versatility and depth as an actress. She gained widespread acclaim with her Academy Award-winning performance as the obsessive fan Annie Wilkes in Misery (1990), which cemented her status as a Hollywood heavyweight. Over the decades, Bates has been an active star, delivering memorable performances in films such as Fried Green Tomatoes (1991), Dolores Claiborne (1995), and Titanic (1997), as well as in television series like American Horror Story (2011 -). Known for her ability to embody a variety of complex characters, she has continually pushed the boundaries, earning her a place among the most respected figures in the industry.
She’s taking on the ‘Matlock‘ reboot
In the new reboot of the classic series Matlock, Bates portrays Madeline Matlock, a seasoned lawyer who re-enters the legal world with her unassuming charm and sharp intellect to tackle challenging cases. The original Matlock, which aired in 1987, starred Andy Griffith as Benjamin Matlock, a defense attorney known for his high fees and unwavering dedication to his clients. Bates’ character brings a fresh perspective to the series, blending her experience and wit to navigate the courtroom. “Everything I’ve prayed for, worked for, clawed my way up for, I am suddenly able to be asked to use all of it,” Bates explained. However, she also admitted that “It’s exhausting.”
Plans to retire
While Bates is excited about her role in the reboot, she also disclosed that the series would likely be her last. In a candid conversation with The New York Times, Bates revealed that she had been thinking about retirement long before this opportunity came along. She had previously decided to step away from acting after a particularly grueling movie shoot left her in tears on her sofa. “It becomes my life,” she admitted, “Sometimes I get jealous of having this talent. Because I can’t hold it back, and I just want my life.” However, those plans were temporarily set aside when the script for Matlock arrived at her doorstep.
She experienced struggles early in her career
Reflecting on her earlier years, Bates opened up about how she has long faced challenges, especially as a young actress. In a previous interview, she confessed that the intense pressures of the industry took their toll on her emotionally. “I would get my feelings really hurt,” she recalled. “Sometimes I’d get on a plane and fly home.” During her stint as a stage actress in London, the relentless scrutiny of the British press almost became too much for her.
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However, she had someone to help her through. “I had a wonderful producer, God rest him, Saul Zaentz,” Bates remembered. “And I remember we were in London, and it was just a nightmare. British press… But I remember I got very upset. And I said, ‘I’m going home, that’s it. I’m not going to put myself through this anymore.’ And I remember Saul coming up to me and saying, ‘You gotta get tougher.'” And tougher she became, providing the world with years more of her incredible talent.