She was over 40 years old and had a physique that was not “normal” for Hollywood…
When Daniel Day-Lewis read her name Kathy Bates, there was a surprise at the Shrine Civic Auditorium. In the 1990 race to win the Best Actress Oscar, she was up against Anjelica Huston and Joanne Woodward, Academy darling Meryl Streep, and America’s new darling Julia Roberts. The press did not count on her victory. At age 40, Bates was virtually unknown. Four decades later, Annie Wilkes’ performance in ‘Misery’ has become iconic and there is no doubt that she deserved the Oscar!
This Oscar was also an award for perseverance. To a large part of the audience she was an unknown face, but behind her magnificent performance lay two decades of respected and award-winning work in the theater. This, however, did not make her any less invisible in the film industry. Tired of being ignored and realizing that Hollywood wasn’t going to open its doors, she was forced to “knock them down.”
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Prior to Misery – the film adaptation of Stephen King’s book – Bates had seen the roles she had played on stage go to other actresses when the productions were made into films. She wasn’t even given the opportunity to audition. This also happened with ‘Night, Mother’, where after playing the role of Jessie Cates on Broadway for 11 months, Bates was mistaken for Sissy Spacek in the 1986 film. Again in the film ‘Crimes of the Heart’, where leading role was given to Diane Keaton.
“I’m tired of giving material to Sissy Spacek and other stars”he told the New York Times. “So I said to myself, ‘Let’s see what I can do with this.'”. After 11 years in New York, she moved to Los Angeles, but that didn’t mean things were going to change anytime soon. He had yet to pass one of those humiliating experiences which mark a career.
If there was one role that built her reputation on Broadway, it was that of Frankie, the disheveled waitress in Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune. Frankie was the kind of woman who asks her boyfriend to turn off the lights because she’s embarrassed about her physique. She is an undefined person, used to being invisible and resigned to the fact that she has never felt wanted. Playwright Terrence McNally wrote the role specifically for Bates and she responded with a masterful performance. After the sensational success of the play, rumors of a film adaptation soon circulated. Frankie’s partner Johnny – a chatty ex-convict cook – was played on stage by F. Murray Abraham.
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Kathy Bates, who turned 76 on June 28, is still busy. Last year, he participated in the adaptation of Judy Blume’s novel, Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret?’ and this year, he stars in the romantic comedy “A Family Affair” alongside Nicole Kidman and Zac Efron. She never ceases to enchant us. She thinks it’s because she’s a normal woman that audiences can relate to, but it’s actually because she’s a great actress.
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Source :Skai
I am Frederick Tuttle, who works in 247 News Agency as an author and mostly cover entertainment news. I have worked in this industry for 10 years and have gained a lot of experience. I am a very hard worker and always strive to get the best out of my work. I am also very passionate about my work and always try to keep up with the latest news and trends.
