In a revealing interview with the New York Times, Kathy Bates, an icon of the silver screen, declared the upcoming "Matlock" reboot as her final acting venture. Bates, who has made a lasting imprint on Hollywood, will retire from a prolific acting career.
Kathy Bates’s illustrious career will conclude with her role in the forthcoming “Matlock” reboot, CNN reported.
During her poignant conversation with the New York Times, Bates reflected on her journey in the arts. She candidly shared insights about her experiences and the reasons behind her decision to step away from acting now. As the curtain closes on her career, Bates leaves behind an array of memorable characters and performances that reshaped the landscape of television and cinema.
The actress's rise to prominence was significantly bolstered by her role in the 1990 thriller, "Misery", for which she won the Academy Award for Best Actress. Portraying the chilling character Annie Wilkes, Bates delivered a performance that not only won her the Oscar but also catapulted her into stardom. This role, she mentioned, was pivotal in defining her career trajectory.
Post-"Misery", Bates continued to evolve her acting portfolio with roles in critically acclaimed series such as "Six Feet Under", "The Office", and "American Horror Story". Each role showcased her versatility and deepened her impact within the industry. With a knack for embracing complex characters, Bates became a staple in both comedic and dramatic roles across television and film.
Her latest and last role as Madeline "Matty" Matlock in the reboot of "Matlock" offers Bates a full-circle moment. This part allows her to explore a rich narrative around aging women, a theme that has personally resonated with her. “Women become almost invisible as they age, which can be unexpectedly advantageous”, a line delivered by Bates in the pilot, encapsulates a poignant aspect of her character’s—and perhaps her own—narrative.
CBS will premiere the series on September 22, marking a significant milestone not only for the network but also for Bates's fans who anticipate her final act.
In her NYT interview, Bates shared her reflections on personal and artistic evolution, stating, “As I got older, I realized that I wasn’t meant to be.” This realization impacted her perception of her career and her identity within the star-studded realm of Hollywood.
Furthermore, her comments about feeling like a misfit following her Oscar win reveal the complexities of her journey in the spotlight. Extracting from her dialogue in "Misery", Bates resonated with her character's feelings of displacement within the glamorous world of movie stars.
Beyond her characters, Bates's insights into the experiences of aging women in society have added profound layers to her performances and public appearances. She commented on the invisibility that comes with aging, noting it as a paradoxically useful trait — a sentiment she brings to life through her role in "Matlock".
This anticipated conclusion to Bates’s career is bittersweet for fans and fellow actors alike who have followed her remarkable trajectory over the decades. Her declaration of "Matlock" being her "last dance" evokes a sense of finality and nostalgia for her admirers.
Bates encapsulates the dedication and passion she has poured into her craft through her discussion about her exhaustive journey: "Everything I’ve prayed for, worked for, clawed my way up for, I am suddenly able to be asked to use all of it. And it’s exhausting," she expressed.
As the entertainment industry prepares to bid farewell to one of its most storied actresses, Kathy Bates’s legacy of diverse, powerful, and compelling performances will undoubtedly endure. Her candidness and groundbreaking roles have left an indelible mark on Hollywood, making her retirement a notable end of an era.
