Recently featured in ELLE Magazine, as part of their Meet ELLE’s 2016 Women in Hollywood and having received her own Star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame, Kathy Bates has been front and center in my news feeds. And I love it. From ‘The Doctors’ in 1977 to ‘American Horror Story: Roanoke’ she’s surprised and entertained us.
I watched Misery in the early 90’s for the first time. It’s one of those films that sticks in the brain. I was at my grandparent’s house, it was nearing the end of the year so the nights got dark early, and I was eating cereal out of a bowl like popcorn. I can’t remember if I’d already discovered Stephen Kings books or whether this film led me to them. But it was definitely my first introduction to Kathy Bates.
Born in Memphis in 1948, she went on to study drama at school and after graduating in 1969 moved to New York City. She got her first noticeable role in 1982, despite having been in two previous films and a number of theater productions. But it was Misery in 1990 that finally got Bates the recognition she deserved.
Winning numerous awards for her performances, both on stage and film, including a “Best Actress” Oscar and Golden Globe award in the horror genre and an Emmy for her portrail of Ethel Darling in American Horror Story. We’re claiming her as one of our own Wicked Women of Horror.
American Horror Story: Roanoke
With so many American Horror Story 6 teasers, we had no idea who Kathy Bates might be playing. Some had suggested she wouldn’t be returning whilst others reported having seen her filming for the series near a hot-tub. When the first episode finally aired we got our first glimpse. In previous series she’s given life to Ethel Darling, Madame Delphine LaLaurie, and Iris. In season 6 she’s portraying Thomasin White.
Thomasin White could have been a real person but it’s unlikely that the character is based significantly on her. There are records indicating she married John White – the governor of the colony, long before his journey to Roanoke Island with the colonists. There is no record however, of her travelling with him or being on the Island herself. So her hatchet story would also be pure fiction – although the colonists resorting to cannibalism might not be.
Upcoming Kathy Bates
- Moose
- Bad Santa 2
- The Death and Life of John F. Donovan
- Krystal
- Disjointed
Horror and Fantasy Author – Also writing as K.T. McQueen. Love Western Horror, cowboy boots, my cactus Collin, & my Demon Cat.
Moths – I hate moths, the way they flutter at your face!
