Hollywood icon Kathy Bates has officially announced her retirement, marking the end of an illustrious career spanning over five decades. The 76-year-old actress revealed that her final project will be the highly anticipated reboot of CBS’s “Matlock”, in which she will take on the lead role of Madeline Matlock.
Bates shared this emotional news in an interview with “The New York Times”, where she reflected on her decision to retire after the reboot airs later this month.
“This is my last dance,” Bates confessed, signaling that the time had come to step away from the spotlight. She candidly explained that she realized it was time to retire after breaking down in tears during a movie shoot. The relentless dedication and emotional investment in her roles, she explained, had begun to take a toll. “It becomes my life,” she said, admitting that her extraordinary talent sometimes left her feeling conflicted. “I just want my life.”
The decision to take on “Matlock” came at a moment when she had already considered retiring, but the script reignited her passion for one final role. In the reboot of the beloved attorney series, originally starring Andy Griffith from 1986 to 1995, Bates steps into the shoes of Madeline Matlock, a sharp, seasoned lawyer rejoining the workforce at a prestigious law firm.
The series follows her as she uses her wit and legal acumen to win cases and expose corruption, promising a fresh take on the classic courtroom drama.
Kathy Bates’ career is a testament to her versatility and talent. She has excelled across film, television, and theater, leaving an indelible mark in Hollywood. Her breakthrough role came in the 1990 Stephen King adaptation “Misery”, where her portrayal of the obsessive fan Annie Wilkes earned her an Academy Award for Best Actress—an unprecedented win for a horror film at the time. This role catapulted Bates into stardom, showcasing her ability to bring complex, intense characters to life.
Following “Misery”, Bates continued to captivate audiences with roles in films like “Fried Green Tomatoes” (1991), where she starred alongside Jessica Tandy, and “Primary Colors” (1998), earning a Best Supporting Actress nomination for the latter. Her talent extended to the small screen as well, where she racked up an impressive 14 Emmy nominations over the years.
Memorable performances in series like “Six Feet Under”, “Harry’s Law”, and “American Horror Story” solidified her status as a television powerhouse, with her portrayal of Ethel Darling in “American Horror Story” even winning her an Emmy.
Despite her numerous accolades, including an Oscar, Golden Globe, and Emmy Awards, Bates acknowledges the emotional toll her career has taken on her. She described her work as all-consuming and exhausting, a testament to the depth of her commitment to every role she’s undertaken. “Everything I’ve prayed for, worked for, clawed my way up for, I am suddenly able to be asked to use all of it…And it’s exhausting,” Bates reflected, underlining the intensity of a career dedicated to her craft.
The reboot of “Matlock”, set to premiere on September 22 on CBS and later stream on Paramount+, will give fans one last opportunity to witness the legendary actress in action. It’s a fitting swan song for Bates, whose talent has touched generations of audiences across genres and mediums.
As she steps away from acting, Kathy Bates leaves behind an unparalleled legacy, cementing her place as one of Hollywood’s most formidable talents. With a career full of unforgettable performances, her final bow in “Matlock” will undoubtedly be a poignant moment for both the actress and her fans.
