Kathy Bates is one of the most celebrated American actresses in film and theater. She discovered her love for acting in high school while participating in school plays. Feeling at home on stage, she decided to pursue acting seriously and earned a degree in drama and theatre in college. She soon embarked on a professional acting career. Despite her immense talent, Bates's career had a slow start. Early in her career, she took on minor roles in films and television while continuing to perform in theatre. After nearly two decades in the industry, she achieved breakthrough success with Misery (1990), which won her an Academy Award for Best Actress. She followed this success with several hit films, including Fried Green Tomatoes, Dolores Claiborne, Titanic, Primary Colors, About Schmidt, and P.S. I Love You. In addition to her film work, she has appeared in numerous television miniseries and won Emmy Awards for her performances in American Horror Story and Six Feet Under. Bates has also directed several television episodes, showcasing her talent behind the camera. With a career spanning decades, she remains one of the most respected and versatile performers in Hollywood.