Updated Feb 20, 2026
Details
Known For
Actor
Occupations
Character actor, Actor, Stage actor
Birthday
(Monday)
Nationality
Citizenship
United States
Languages
English
Education
White Station High School, Southern Methodist University, William Esper Studio, Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts
Zodiac Sign
♋ Cancer
Chinese Zodiac
鼠 Rat
Popularity
Tier A -- 175,375 Wikipedia views/month
DROPTHE_ GOSSIP
Career
Career spanning 52 years (1972-2024)
Screen debut
First screen credit at age 23
Year context
Born in 1948 -- State of Israel established; Berlin Blockade begins; Harry S. Truman was US president
Year 1948 →
DROPTHE GOOD_
17
Notable
out of 100
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Human Impact
1
Innovation
0
Giving
0
Sustainability
100
Cultural Uplift
64
Public Vote
★
★
★
★
★
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Filmography (50)
AWARDS (15)
G
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie
2014
WON
G
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie
2014
WON
G
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series
2012
WON
G
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series
2012
WON
Biography
Kathleen Doyle Bates (born June 28, 1948) is an American actress and director. She has been the recipient of numerous accolades, including an Academy Award, two Primetime Emmy Awards, and two Golden Globe Awards.
Born in Memphis, Tennessee, she studied theatre at the Southern Methodist University before moving to New York City to pursue an acting career. She landed minor stage roles before being cast in her first on screen role in Taking Off (1971). Her first Off-Broadway stage performance was in the 1976 production of Vanities. Throughout the 1970s and early 1980s, she continued to perform on screen and on stage, and garnered a Tony Award nomination for Best Lead Actress in a Play in 1983 for her performance in 'night, Mother, and won an Obie Award in 1988 for her performance in Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune.
Bates' performance as Annie Wilkes in the tense psychological thriller Misery (1990) marked her Hollywood breakthrough, winning her the Academy Award for Best Actress. Further acclaim came for her starring role in Dolores Claiborne (1995), The Waterboy (1998), and supporting roles in Fried Green Tomatoes (1991) and Titanic (1997). Bates received subsequent Oscar nods in the Best Supporting Actress category for her work in Primary Colors (1998), About Schmidt (2002), and Richard Jewell (2019).
Bates' television work has resulted in 14 Emmy Award nominations, including two for her leading role on the NBC series Harry's Law (2011–12). She won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for her appearance on the ninth season of Two and a Half Men (2012) and the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Movie for her portrayal of Delphine LaLaurie on the third season of American Horror Story (2013). She also received accolades for her portrayal of Miss Hannigan in the 1999 television adaptation of Annie. Her directing credits include several episodes of the HBO television series Six Feet Un
Related People
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Kathy Bates?
Kathy Bates is 77 years old, born on .
Where was Kathy Bates born?
Kathy Bates was born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA.
What movies or shows has Kathy Bates been in?
Kathy Bates has 50 credits in our database. Notable titles include Matlock (2024), The Boss (2016), Midnight in Paris (2011), Harry's Law (2011), The Blind Side (2009).
What is Kathy Bates known for?
Kathy Bates is primarily known as an actor. Kathleen Doyle Bates (born June 28, 1948) is an American actress and director. She has been the recipient of numerous accolades, including an Academy Award,…
Where can I find more information about Kathy Bates?
You can find more about Kathy Bates on IMDB, TMDB, Wikidata. Their full profile and filmography is available on this page.
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