For years, actress Kathy Bates was a familiar face in films and TV, known for her powerful performances. Off-screen, her life has mirrored the intensity of her roles, especially after being diagnosed with a chronic illness.
Bates moved to New York in 1970 to chase her acting dreams. Despite not fitting the typical ingenue mold, she managed to succeed. Reflecting on her early career, she said, “I was never seen as conventionally attractive. It was tough not just finding work, but also accepting how others perceived me.”
Her breakthrough came with her role as Stella May in *Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean* in 1980. At 42, she gained widespread recognition for her portrayal of a deranged fan in *Misery*, earning an Academy Award for Best Actress. Bates observed, “You’re either young and glamorous, or you’re not attractive enough to land lead roles.”
Bates later ventured into directing, working on popular TV shows like *Oz*, *NYPD Blue*, *Homicide: Life on the Street*, and *Six Feet Under*.
She faced significant health battles, including ovarian cancer in 2003 and breast cancer in 2012. After surgery for breast cancer, she began speaking out about lymphedema, a condition she manages with compression sleeves. Bates lost 80 pounds and learned to cope with her condition, especially by slowing down and taking deep breaths.
She advises those with lymphedema to live actively despite the challenges and not let the illness define them. Bates is committed to raising awareness and funding for lymphedema research while continuing her beloved work in the industry.
