Kathy Bates has achieved a level of success that few actresses in Hollywood can match. She has not only received an Academy Award, two Primetime Emmy Awards, and two Golden Globe Awards, but also earned nominations for a Tony Award and two BAFTA Awards. Additionally, she has become one of the most beloved horror icons due to her performance in “Misery”.
Winning the Academy Award for said role set a precedent that remains unmatched. To this day, when discussing overlooked performances by women in the genre, such as Toni Collette or Lupita Nyong’o, Bates is frequently cited as the benchmark and definitive example.
However, Bates’s career is not defined solely by this milestone. With over a hundred credits across diverse characters and genres, she has proven herself to be much more than just Annie Wilkes. Now, as she announces her retirement, the entertainment industry is set to lose one of its most talented stars.
Why is Kathy Bates retiring?
In a recent interview with The New York Times, Kathy Bates announced that she is retiring from on-screen acting, revealing that her upcoming role in “Matlock,” the crime drama series set to debut on September 22, will be her final performance.
Kathy Bates speaks onstage at the “Matlock” Presentation Q&A during the CBS Network portion of the 2024 TCA Summer Press Tour at The Langham Huntington, Pasadena on July 13, 2024 in Pasadena, California. Source: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)
Bates shared that her decision to retire stemmed from the physical and emotional exhaustion she experienced while working on this final project. She also expressed significant frustration from a previous work, which she chose not to name but many speculate might be Netflix’s “A Family Affair”.
Additionally, Bates mentioned the challenges of securing good roles, citing that her looks have impacted her opportunities since her teens. So, she is saying farewell to acting, though it is sure that “Matlock” will be a memorable capstone to her career.
The series, a reboot of the beloved mystery drama that originally aired from 1986 to 1995, will feature Bates as Madeline Matlock, a character who shares a surname with the iconic Ben Matlock from the original source material. It will premiere on CBS and stream on Paramount+.
