10 Greatest Films of Kathy Bates

Kathleen Doyle Bates was born in Memphis, Tennessee in 1948. She graduated from Southern Methodist University with a degree in Theater, in 1969. The following year she moved to New York to begin her acting career.

She has been active in theater, television, and cinema. Kathy Bates has been nominated for three Oscars, winning a Best Actress award in 1991 for Misery. She has been nominated for seven Golden Globes, winning one for Misery and one for the television film The Late Shift in 1997. She has been nominated for thirteen Emmy awards, winning two.

10. The Waterboy (1998) — This is a film that I never thought would make it into one of these posts. It is not a good film. But, Kathy Bates is good in it. She plays Mama Boucher, the controlling Cajun mother of Adam Sandler’s titular character.

“That’s nonsense, I invented electricity. Ben Franklin is the Devil!” — Mama Boucher

9. Titanic (1997) — a larger than life actress was needed to play the larger than life woman that would become known as ‘The Unsinkable Molly Brown’. Kathy Bates was the right choice. Her part in the film is small, but memorable.

“I don’t understand a one of you. What’s the matter with ya? It’s your men out there! There’s plenty o’ room for more!” — Molly Brown

8. Revolutionary Road (2008) — Kate and Leo team up again, this time to bring Richard Yates’ acclaimed novel to the screen. The film was directed by Sam Mendes (Winslet’s husband at the time). It’s a brilliantly acted film but uncomfortable to watch as we view a marriage self-destruct. It is my favorite of Leo’s films. Kathy plays the real estate agent who brings her mentally disturbed son into Frank and April’s home.

“I want to feel things. Really feel them.” — Frank Wheeler

7. Midnight in Paris (2011) — Woody Allen wrote and directed this quirky film about a modern day man (played by Owen Wilson) that discovers a way to visit a bar frequented by the artistic greats, in the 1920s. The appeal of these encounters with people like Hemingway starts to have negative effects on his modern day life and relationship. Kathy plays American novelist Gertrude Stein.

“We all fear death and question our place in the universe. The artist’s job is not to succumb to despair, but to find an antidote for the emptiness of existence.” — Gertrude Stein

6. At Play in the Fields of the Lord (1991) — An adaptation of Peter Matthiessen’s novel about missionaries in South America. Kathy is joined by John Lithgow, Daryl Hannah, and Tom Berenger.

“Are we in Hell and just don’t know it?” — Hazel Quarrier

5. About Schmidt (1992) — This is Jack Nicholson’s film, but once again, an actress that could be bigger than life enough to put the film’s star back on his heels was needed. Kathy Bates plays Roberta, the mother of the man that Schmidt’s daughter wants to marry. The film is probably best remembered for the hot tub seduction attempt that Roberta makes on Schmidt.

“People used to think it was strange ’cause I breast-fed him ’til he was almost five, but I say — hunh, just look at the results!” — Roberta

4. Primary Colors (1998) — this film is a loose telling of President Bill Clinton’s campaign for President in 1992. The Clintons (called the Stantons) are played by John Travolta and Emma Thompson. Kathy Bates plays a friend of the “Stantons” whom is hired by them to investigate the likelihood of his past indiscretions coming out to affect the campaign.

“He’s poked his pecker in some sorry trash bins.” — Libby Holden

3. Dolores Claiborne (1995) — Kathy Bates has said that this is her favorite of her performances. Kathy plays Dolores, a housekeeper accused of murdering her employer, raising suspicions she might also have killed her late husband.

“We’re gonna sit down and have ourselves a drink! And after we’re done — after *I’m* done, you can run upstairs and take whichever one of them little pills makes you feel the best.” — Dolores Claiborne

2. Fried Green Tomatoes (1991) — Bates’ character serves as a way to frame the narrative of this film. Principally, the film is about the people of a small town called Whistle Stop, between the two world wars. Their story is told by Jessica Tandy’s character, to Kathy Bates’ character, influencing her own actions in the film.

“I never get mad, Miss Threadgoode, never, the way I was raised, it was bad manners. Well I got mad, and it felt great. I felt like I could just beat the shit out of all those punks! Excuse my language. And then when I finish with those punks, I’ll take on all the wife beaters like Frank Bennett, machine gun their genitals.” — Evelyn Couch

1. Misery (1990) — I think everyone saw this selection coming. Kathy Bates is absolutely terrifying in this film, in which she plays an obsessed fan of a writer. William Goldman adapted Stephen King’s novel. Kathy Bates and James Caan are great in this film.

“I’m your number one fan. There’s nothing to worry about. You’re going to be just fine. I will take good care of you. I’m your number one fan.” — Annie Wilkes

What would make your list?