Kathy Bates posed with her Emmy in 2014 for American Horror Story: Coven. It was her second statuette in three years, and THR had predicted the Oscar winner’s chances were good.
Kathy Bates, known for her knack for captivating audiences, took home her second Emmy in 2014 for her role in American Horror Story: Coven. This victory followed her 2012 Emmy win for guest actress in a comedy for Two and a Half Men, where she memorably appeared as the ghost of Charlie Sheen’s character.
Bates’ accolades span more than five decades of trailblazing performances. Born in Tennessee, she sharpened her skills in New York’s theater scene before breaking into Hollywood with her Oscar-winning performance as Annie Wilkes in the 1990 psychological thriller Misery. That chilling portrayal not only earned her an Academy Award for Best Actress but also established her as a force in film and television.
Despite critical acclaim, it was television that brought her consistent recognition. Her Emmy nominations include performances in 3rd Rock From the Sun, Six Feet Under, and Harry’s Law. By the time she won her first Emmy in 2012, it marked her tenth nomination, affirming her as a staple of prestige television.
Two years later, Bates returned to the Emmy stage for her haunting portrayal of Madame Delphine LaLaurie in American Horror Story: Coven. The role, drawn from a real-life historical serial killer in New Orleans, stunned audiences. Series creator Ryan Murphy described the character as “a bad, bad woman… five times worse than her Misery character.” The chilling part earned Bates her second Emmy, this time for supporting actress in a limited series.
Her partnership with Murphy became a recurring one. Bates continued appearing in future seasons of American Horror Story, and she credits Murphy with reigniting her passion for acting. “Ryan Murphy has resurrected my career,” she shared in a 2016 Vanity Fair interview. “He gave me an entirely new phase in my life I didn’t expect.”
Now at 76, Bates is once again in Emmy contention for her lead role in the CBS reboot of Matlock. In an October interview with The Hollywood Reporter, she revealed that she had been considering retirement before the opportunity came along. “So this came as a total surprise to me. I really can’t believe all this, especially at my age.”
From Broadway to broadcast drama, Bates’ career remains a testament to resilience, reinvention, and the enduring power of performance.
