BWW Profile: Kathy Bates Emmy-Nominated Star of Stage and Screen

In anticipation of the live 66th Annual Emmy Award broadcast on NBC this Monday, BWW takes a look at the Emmy nominated TV performances of some Broadway's biggest stars. Today, we look stage and screen star KATHY BATES, nominated for her work as Dephine LaLaurie in AMC's AMERICAN HORROR STORY: COVEN.

Kathy Bates is a celebrated Stage, Screen, and Television actress, known for her bold and intense portrayals, with signature roles in such movie roles in MISERY, DOLORES CLAIBORNE, and PRIMARY COLORS; stage roles in 'NIGHT MOTHER, COME BACK TO THE FIVE AND DIME JIMMY DEAN, JIMMY DEAN, and FRANKIE AND JOHNNY IN THE CLAIR DE LUNE; and television roles in SIX FEET UNDER, HARRY'S LAW, and her current Emmy-nominated performance in AMERICAN HORROR STORY: COVEN.

Kathy started her theater career Off-Broadway in 1975 and had her first Broadway appearance in Lanford Wilson's FIFTH OF JULY. She later appeared on Broadway again in the Robert Altman-directed, COME BACK TO THE FIVE AND DIME JIMMY DEAN, JIMMY DEAN, followed by her Tony-nominated performance in 'NIGHT MOTHER, opposite Anne Pitoniak. She was also in in FRANKIE AND JOHNNY IN THE CLAIR DE LUNE, which was specifically written for her and F. Murray Abraham by Terrence McNally.

Kathy's first feature film had her singing an original song and credited as "Bobo Bates," in the 1971 Milos Forman comedy, TAKING OFF. She won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her star-turning role in MISERY, opposite James Caan. From there she went on to other memorable roles, with a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for her work in FRIED GREEN TOMATOES, and garnering both an Acadamy Award and Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actress in both PRIMARY COLORS and ABOUT SCHMIDT. Kathy also had fun in the role of the unsinkable Molly Brown, in the motion picture juggernaut TITANIC.

Kathy has also enjoyed successful television runs, starting with her Golden Globe win as Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Jay Leno's manager in THE LATE SHIFT. She has been celebrated with multiple Emmy Award nominations, from Outstanding Guest Actress roles in 3RD ROCK FROM THE SUN, SIX FEET UNDER, and TWO AND A HALF MEN, to Outstanding Directing for DASH AND LILLY, to Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for HARRY'S LAW. This year Kathy is nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie for her role in AMERICAN HORROR STORY: COVEN.

Kathy has also proven to be a warrior in her personal life as well, having battled two bouts with cancer. In September 2003, she was diagnosed witih Ovarian Cancer, and in September of 2012, Kathy revealed via Twitter that she was diagnosed with breast cancer and had undergone a double mastectomy. I love her Twitter bio, "My Life in Balance: Do No Harm. Take No s."

I have put together some of my favorite clips showcasing Kathy's amazing acting abilities and reason's why I love her. First of course, is her star turning role in MISERY. Next is the film version of 'NIGHT MOTHER where Kathy picked up her first Tony nomination and she plays next to the fantastic Shirley McClain. Next was one of my favorite show's that should never have been cancelled, Kathy's HARRY'S LAW. Next we have a great scene from her movie FRIED GREEN TOMATOES. Finally, I have included an overview clip of some of her work on AMERICAN HORROR STORY: COVEN, which she is nominated for the Emmy this year.

The 66th Annual Primetime Emmys will air live on Monday, August 25th (8pm ET/ 5pm PT) from the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles, California. And be sure to visit BWW TVWorld for live coverage of the of the 2014 Primetime EMMY AWARDS. Join the Emmys conversation in the comments below, or on Twitter using #BWWEmmys.

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