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Kathleen Doyle "Kathy" Bates (born June 28, 1948) is an American actress and director. She portrays Jo Bennett on The Office. Besides The Office, Kathy is also known for her work in Misery and American Horror Story.

After several small roles in film and television, Bates rose to prominence with her performance in Misery (1990), for which she won both the Academy Award for Best Actress and a Golden Globe. She followed this with major roles in Fried Green Tomatoes (1991) and Dolores Claiborne (1995), before playing a featured role as Margaret "Molly" Brown in Titanic (1997). During this time she began her directing career, primarily in television.

Bates received a Tony Award nomination for her 1983 performance in the Broadway play 'night, Mother. She won a Screen Actors Guild Award for her performance in Primary Colors (1998), for which she also received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. She was also nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for About Schmidt (2002). Her television work has resulted in eight Emmy Award nominations.

Diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2003, Bates has stated that she has made a full recovery.

Early life[]

Bates was born in Memphis, Tennessee, the youngest of three daughters of Bertye Kathleen (née Talbot), a homemaker, and Langdon Doyle Bates, a mechanical engineer.[1] Her great-great-grandfather was an immigrant from Ireland to New Orleans and served as President Andrew Jackson's doctor.[2] She graduated from White Station High School, and later attended Southern Methodist University, where she majored in theatre, was a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority, and graduated in 1969. She moved to New York City in 1970 to pursue an acting career.[3]

Career[]

Her Broadway appearances include Lanford Wilson's Fifth of July and the Robert Altman-directed Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean opposite Karen Black and Cher. She received a Tony Award nomination in 1983 for her stage role in the Pulitzer Prize-winning play 'night, Mother opposite Anne Pitoniak. The production of 'night, Mother ran for more than a year. One of her other successful New York stage productions was, Off-Broadway, in Terrence McNally's Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune which ran 533 performances. McNally specifically wrote the play for Bates and F. Murray Abraham, who had to drop out and was replaced by Kenneth Welsh. The play was later filmed as Frankie and Johnny, starring Al Pacino and Michelle Pfeiffer. She also replaced Amy Irving in the off-Broadway production of The Road to Mecca in 1988.

Bates's first feature film was the 1971 Miloš Forman comedy Taking Off (credited as "Bobo Bates"), wherein she sings an original song "Even Horses Had Wings." Bates's next feature was the 1978 Dustin Hoffman vehicle Straight Time. (In 1990, she would appear again with Hoffman in Warren Beatty's Dick Tracy as a stenographer.) Bates continued to appear in little-seen films such as Summer Heat and The Morning After while guest-starring in television shows such as L.A. Law before landing the role of obsessed fan Annie Wilkes, who holds her favorite author (played by James Caan) captive, in the 1990 thriller Misery. Based on the novel of the same name by Stephen King, she received her first Academy Award nomination for that role, winning Best Actress. Soon after, she starred with Jessica Tandy in the acclaimed 1991 movie Fried Green Tomatoes.

In 1977, she made her soap opera debut as Phyllis on NBC's soap opera The Doctors. From 1983 to 1984, she played prison inmate Belle Bodelle on All My Children and from 1984 to 1985, she played Evelyn Maddox on One Life To Live.

In 1995, she turned in another applauded portrayal as the title character in Dolores Claiborne, a film adaption of another Stephen King novel, although she was not nominated for an Oscar. In 1997, Bates played Margaret "Molly" Brown in James Cameron's Titanic. Based on the 1912 sinking of the RMS Titanic, the film went on to earn more than $1.8 billion in box-office receipts worldwide.[4]

Bates also excelled in her role as the acid-tongued "dustbuster" political advisor Libby Holden in the 1998 drama "Primary Colors" which was adapted from the book in which political journalist Joe Klein recounted his experiences on the Presidential campaign trail in 1991–1992. For this performance, she received her second Academy Award nomination, for Best Supporting Actress, though she did not win. She was nominated again, in 2002, for About Schmidt, and did not win. More recently, she and Terry Bradshaw played the parents of Matthew McConaughey's character in the 2006 film Failure to Launch. Bates was also featured in an uncredited cameo in the miniseries of Stephen King's The Stand.

Bates was nominated Emmy Award seven times: Outstanding actor in a Miniseries or a Movie, for her performance as Jay Leno's manager Helen Kushnick in HBO's The Late Shift (1996), and, twice again in the same category; as Miss Hannigan in Disney's remake of Annie (1999) and for the HBO Franklin Roosevelt biopic Warm Springs (2005). She was nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie for Lifetime Television's Ambulance Girl (2006), which she also directed.

She appeared on 10 episodes of the HBO cable television series Six Feet Under for which she received an Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series, as Bettina, in 2003. She also was nominated for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for 3rd Rock from the Sun in 1999, the same year that she was nominated for Outstanding Directing in a Miniseries or Movie for the Dashiell Hammett-Lillian Hellman biopic Dash & Lilly. She currently has a recurring guest role on the American version of The Office as Jo Bennet, the head executive of the company that buys Dunder Mifflin known as Sabre.

Starting in the 1990s, Bates forged a formidable career as a director. She has directed episodes of Homicide: Life on the Street, NYPD Blue, Oz, Six Feet Under, and Everwood. Bates has also directed the TV movies Dash and Lilly and the self-starring Ambulance Girl.

She directed and co-starred in Have Mercy (2006) with Melanie Griffith. In 2008, she re-teamed with her Titanic co-stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet in Revolutionary Road.

Bates will star in David E. Kelley's upcoming legal drama Harry's Law, which is expected to air on NBC during the 2010–11 television season.[5]

Affiliations[]

Bates is the Executive Committee Chair of the Actors Branch of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Board of Governors.[6]

Awards[]

At the 63rd Academy Awards, Kathy Bates won the Oscar for Best Actress in the 1990 film, Misery, as well as a Golden Globe for Best Actress-Drama in the same role.[7][8] Bates received a Tony Award nomination for her 1983 performance in the Broadway production, 'Night, Mother.[9] She won a Screen Actors Guild Award for her performance in Primary Colors (1998), for which she also received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Bates won a SAG for the 1996 TV Movie The Late Shift.[10] At the 75th Academy Awards, she was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for the 2002 film, About Schmidt.[8] Bates has also been nominated for eight Emmy Awards.[11]

Personal life[]

Bates was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2003, but she did not reveal her illness to the general public until 2009.[12] She stated she has been "in total remission" for over 5 and a half years, as of January 2009.[13]

Filmography[]

Year[1] Title[2] Role[3] Notes
1971 Taking Off Audition Singer: "Even the Horses Had Wings" as Bobo Bates
1977 The Doctors Phyllis several episodes
1978 The Love Boat Sally Allison Episodes: "Family Reunion", "Too Hot to Handle" and "Cinderella Story"
1978 Straight Time Selma Darin
1982 Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean Stella Mae
1983 Two of a Kind Furniture man's wife
1984 All My Children Belle Bodelle several episodes
1986 Johnny Bull Katherine Kovacs TV film
1986 Cagney & Lacey Brenda Harris Episode: "Revenge"
1986 St. Elsewhere Polly Episodes:
"Up and Down" (1986)
"Visiting Daze" (1987)
1987 Murder Ordained Bobbi Birk TV film
1987 Summer Heat Ruth
1987 My Best Friend Is a Vampire Helen Blake as Kathy D. Bates
1988 Arthur 2: On the Rocks Mrs. Canby
1989 China Beach Jan Episode: "The World: Part 2"
1989 Signs of Life Mary Beth Alder
1989 High Stakes Jill
1989 Roe vs. Wade TV film
1989 L.A. Law Charlotte Haley Episode: "One Rat, One Ranger"
1989 No Place Like Home TV film
1990 Men Don't Leave Lisa Coleman
1990 Dick Tracy Mrs. Green
1990 White Palace Rosemary
1990 Misery Annie Wilkes Academy Award for Best Actress

Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress Golden Globe Award for Best Actress - Motion Picture Drama Nominated—Saturn Award for Best Actress

1991 Shadows and Fog Prostitute Directed by Woody Allen
1991 At Play in the Fields of the Lord Hazel Quarrier
1991 Fried Green Tomatoes Evelyn Couch Nominated—BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting RoleNominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy
1992 The Road to Mecca Elsa Barlow
1992 Prelude to a Kiss Leah Blier
1992 Used People Bibby Berman
1993 Living and Working in Space: The Countdown Has Begun Lunar Mom Direct-to-video
1993 Hostages Peggy Say TV film
1993 A Home of Our Own Frances Lacey
1993,
2004
The American Experience Narrator Episodes:
"Amelia Earhart: The Price of Courage"
"Tupperware!"
1994 The Stand Rae Flowers Episode: "The Plague"
uncredited
1994 North Alaskan mom Nominated—Razzie Award for Worst Supporting Actress
1994 Curse of the Starving Class Ella Tate
1995 Dolores Claiborne Dolores Claiborne Nominated—Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best ActressNominated—Chlotrudis Award for Best Actress

Nominated—Saturn Award for Best Actress

1995 The West Side Waltz Mr. Goo TV film
1995 Angus Meg Bethune
1996 Diabolique Det. Shirley Vogel
1996 The War at Home Maurine Collier
1996 The Late Shift Helen Kushnick TV film
American Comedy Award for Funniest Female Performer in a TV Special (Leading or Supporting) Network, Cable or SyndicationGolden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television

Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film Nominated—Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress – Miniseries or a Movie

1997 Swept from the Sea Miss Swaffer
1997 Titanic Molly Brown Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Favorite Supporting Actress – Drama

Nominated—Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture

1998 Primary Colors Libby Holden American Comedy Award for Funniest Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture

Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Favorite Supporting Actress – Drama Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actress Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actress Las Vegas Film Critics Society Award for Best Supporting Actress San Diego Film Critics Society Award for Best Supporting Actress Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role - Motion Picture Nominated—Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress Nominated—BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role Nominated—Chlotrudis Award for Best Supporting Actress Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress - Motion Picture Nominated—Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Supporting Actor Nominated—Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture

1998 The Effects of Magic Raphaella, the Magic Bunny voice
1998 The Waterboy Helen 'Mama' Boucher Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Favorite Supporting Actress – Comedy
1998 A Civil Action Bankruptcy judge uncredited
1999 Annie Miss Agatha Hannigan TV film
American Comedy Award for Funniest Female Performer in a TV Special (Leading or Supporting) Network, Cable or SyndicationNominated—Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress – Miniseries or a Movie

Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film Nominated—Satellite Award for Best Actress – Miniseries or Television Film Nominated—Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie

1999 Baby Steps Mrs. Mellon short film
1999 3rd Rock from the Sun Charlotte Everly Episode: "Alien Hunter"
Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress – Comedy Series
1999 Dash and Lily Director Nominated—Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries, Movie or Dramatic Special
2000 Bruno Mother Superior
2000 MADtv Stuart's Grandma Season 6 episode 602
2001 Rat Race The Squirrel Lady uncredited
2001 American Outlaws Ma James
2001 King of the Hill Motorcycle Officer Episode: "Lupe's Revenge"
2002 Love Liza Mary Ann Bankhead
2002 Dragonfly Mrs. Belmont
2002 About Schmidt Roberta Hertzel Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actress

National Board of Review Award for Best Supporting Actress Washington DC Area Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actress Nominated—Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress Nominated—Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actress Nominated—Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actress Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress - Motion Picture Nominated—Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Supporting Actor Nominated—Phoenix Film Critics Society Award for Best Supporting Actress Nominated—Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture Nominated—Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role

2002 Unconditional Love Grace Beasley
2002 My Sister's Keeper Christine Chapman TV film
Nominated—Satellite Award for Best Actress – Miniseries or Television FilmNominated—Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie
2003–
2005
Six Feet Under Bettina 10 episodes
Nominated—Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directing - Drama Series (for episode "Twilight")
Nominated—Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress – Drama Series
2004 Around the World in 80 Days Queen Victoria
2004 Little Black Book Kippie Kann
2004 Popeye's Voyage: The Quest for Pappy Sea Hag Voice
2004 The Ingrate The Judge short film
2004 The Cutting Edge: The Magic of Movie Editing Narrator documentary
2004 The Bridge of San Luis Rey The Marquesa
2005 Hansel and Gretel Narrator Voice
direct-to-video
2005 Ambulance Girl Jane Stern TV film
Nominated—Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress – Miniseries or a MovieNominated—Prism Award for Best Performance in a TV Movie or Miniseries
2005 Guilty Hearts The Judge
2005 Rumor Has It... Aunt Mitsy uncredited
2005 Warm Springs Helena Mahoney TV film
Nominated—Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress – Miniseries or a Movie
2006 Failure to Launch Sue
2006 Have Mercy
2006 Solace Marrow's wife
2006 Relative Strangers Agnes Menure
2006 Bonneville Margene
2006 Charlotte's Web Bitsy the Cow voice
2007 Bee Movie Janet Benson voice
2007 Fred Claus Mother Claus
2007 The Golden Compass Hester voice
2007 PS, I Love You Patricia
2007 Christmas Is Here Again Miss Dowdy voice
2008 The Family That Preys Charlotte Cartwright
2008 The Day the Earth Stood Still Secretary of Defense, Dr. Regina Jackson
2008 Revolutionary Road Mrs. Helen Givings Palm Springs International Film Festival Ensemble Performance Award

Nominated—Detroit Film Critics Society Award for Best Cast

2009 Cheri Madame Charlotte Peloux
2009 Personal Effects Gloria
2009 The Blind Side Miss Sue
2009 Alice Queen of Hearts two-night TV event / miniseries

Nominated—Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress – Miniseries or a Movie

2010 Valentine's Day Susan Milton
2010 The Office Jo Bennett Season 6, Episode 15 "Sabre" – Present
2010 Harry's Law Harriet Korn Main cast
2010 You May Not Kiss The Bride Bryan's Mother
2011 Midnight in Paris Directed by Woody Allen
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