Kathy Bates opens up about her career challenges and personal growth in a recent interview with Vanity Fair. Best known for her Oscar-winning role as Annie Wilkes in the 1990 thriller Misery, Bates reflects on her journey through Hollywood as both a triumph and a struggle.
While she enjoyed great success with Misery, Kathy candidly admits that her career took unexpected turns. She shares her disappointment when Garry Marshall did not cast her in the film Frankie and Johnny, a role she originated in an off-Broadway production, instead selecting Michelle Pfeiffer for the part. Kathy believes her appearance played a role in this decision, revealing, “He couldn’t make the leap that people would see me on [the] screen kissing someone.”
Bates also recounts a painful memory from her promotion of the film At Play in the Fields of the Lord, where a British journalist questioned the believability of her marriage to co-star Aidan Quinn. This moment left her feeling crushed, as she recalled crying in private afterward.
In recent years, Bates has undergone a significant transformation, losing over 100 pounds and describing the experience as “magnificent.” She reflects on how her previous weight affected her work, often making it difficult to perform tasks. With her newfound health, she enjoys greater mobility and energy, remarking, “I can move, I can breathe, I can have fun.”
Bates’ journey illustrates the challenges of navigating an often harsh industry while also highlighting her resilience and growth. Her candidness serves as an inspiration, reminding others that it is possible to overcome obstacles and find joy in life, no matter the challenges faced along the way.