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Kathleen Doyle Bates was born on June 28, 1948, in Memphis, Tennessee. The youngest of three daughters, her father, Langdon Doyle Bates, was a mechanical engineer and her two older sisters appeared briefly in the film, "Primary Colors" (1998). Cathy graduated from White Station High School in Memphis, Tennessee, and from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, in 1969, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Theater. Primarily a stage actress, she was nominated for Broadway's 1983 Tony Award as "Best Actress" for "Night, Mother."

She has made film appearances since the 1970s, with small roles in such films as "Straight Time," "Come Back To the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean," (1982), "Summer Heat" (1987), "Dick Tracy" and "White Palace" (1990). She is best known for her portrayal of a psychotic nurse in "Misery" (1990) for which she won the "Best Actress" Oscar. A member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Board of Governors since 1998, she did her first nude scene at the age of 43 in "At Play in the Fields of the Lord (1999), in which she portrayed a fanatical Christian fundamentalist stuck in the Amazon. She disrobes again for her part in "About Schmidt" in 2002.

Kathy Bates lived with her husband, Tony Campisi for 12 years before marrying him in 1991. Their marriage ended in divorce in 1997. The couple had no children.

Kathy Bates is known for an unaffected and natural acting style that keeps her on top of her craft. Her portrayals are pure and without artifice, and never suffer from a lack of emotional honesty. A wonderful actress, may she continue to work and thrill audiences with her superior ability for many years to come!

What are some of YOUR favorite Kathy Bates performances?

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