The compelling onscreen presence of Kathy Bates spans across the decades. Her reputation as an incredible actress is for good reason, proved by her laundry list of starring and supporting roles throughout the years. Whether she's playing a kindly maternal figure or an evil yet unassuming woman, her immovable power as a performer always rises to the surface. Hailing from Memphis, Tennessee, she received her Bachelors of Fine Arts in Theatre from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. After her move to New York City, she worked her way up to her illustrious career that began on stage and ended up in the film industry. After playing Annie Wilkes, the sinister leading lady in Misery in 1990, Bates really hit her stride as a movie star.
Since then, she has both charmed and terrified generations of moviegoers. The unmistakable voice and persona of Kathy Bates brings a cast of unforgettable characters to life, whether they live on in audiences' happy memories or their darkest nightmares. But her trademark strength isn't just limited to the silver screen – she is also a two-time cancer survivor and still battles lymphadema as a result. Let's count down Kathy Bates' best performances, ranked.
7 The Waterboy (1998)
The Waterboy follows the story of Bobby Boucher Jr., who holds the film's titular position and brings water to football players for the University of Louisiana. Unfortunately, he's fired, and scooped up by another team who uncovers his hidden strength and skills and makes him a linebacker. Behind Bobby in all he does is Bates' Helen Boucher, known as "Mama," a doting mother steeped in strong religion. She personifies Southern hospitality, oozing with devotion to Bobby and a desire to give him the best life possible.
6 Primary Colors (1998)
Primary Colors functions as a roman à clef of Bill Clinton's race towards his presidency, and the film is equal parts dramatic and comedic. Bates received a Best Supporting Actress Oscar nomination for her portrayal of Libby Holden. Known as "the Dustbuster," Libby is a satirical source of strength in such a turbulent political atmosphere. A Roger Ebert review describes her performance as a "longtime Stanton confidant and recent mental patient who comes out of retirement, foul-mouthed and lusty, to dig up the dirt before the other side can."
5 Titanic (1997)
James Cameron's Titanic is a landmark in cinema for many reasons. With a cast full of stars, quotable lines, and a basis in the incredible true tragedy, this film holds up as a stunning snapshot of '90s film. Of course, the movie centers around the doomed love story between Jack and Rose, but Bates' character shouldn't be overlooked. As "the Unsinkable" Molly Brown, this big-mouthed woman adds some color to such a sad situation. She speaks her mind with cynicism and realism, throwing out some memorable biting remarks.
4 American Horror Story
The many seasons of American Horror Story are crawling with creepy characters, and Kathy Bates has a hand in bringing a lot of them to life. Throughout several different seasons, she has reappeared as a new unforgettable persona. She shines as Ethel Darling in Freak Show, Iris in Hotel, Agnes Mary Winstead and Thomasin White ("The Butcher") in Roanoke, and Ms. Miriam Mead in Apocalypse. Most memorably, she brings an air of cruelty to her portrayal of slaveowner Madame Delphine LaLaurie in Coven, landing herself an Emmy for Best Supporting Actress.
3 Dolores Claiborne (1995)
Kathy Bates' starring role in Dolores Claiborne is perhaps one of her most unsung and underappreciated roles. In this Stephen King adaptation, Dolores is a housekeeper whose employer, Vera, passes away under mysterious circumstances. The fingers point towards Dolores herself, and as her journalist daughter Selena arrives to help after her mom's arrest, the secrets start to spill. In this role, Bates truly captures the desperation of a woman blamed and forced to hide years of hushed happenings for her family's sake.
2 Fried Green Tomatoes (1991)
Fried Green Tomatoes is a feel-good story set in the American South, filled with quirky and larger-than-life characters. Bates' performance as Evelyn Couch paints a picture of a housewife unsatisfied with where her path in life has taken her. Her friendship with old Ninny Threadgoode flourishes as Ninny regales Evelyn with stories from her own past. Evelyn's character development is a sight to behold as the film progresses, especially as told through Bates' portrayal. Fried Green Tomatoes is beloved by audiences as one of the best feminist comedy films.
1 Misery (1990)
Finally, who could forget Kathy Bates' spine-chilling performance as Annie Wilkes in Misery? This Stephen King story is truly the stuff of nightmares. When author Paul Sheldon is stranded following a horrific car accident, he's taken in by Annie, who swears to get him healthy and walking again. But when she finds about out his plans for the continuation of her favorite book series, she takes it upon herself to twist the plot of his own life – and his ankle, in that painful-to-watch cobbling scene – to get her own way. Understandably, Bates took home an Oscar for this role as Best Actress, and her portrayal truly made Misery one of the best '90s horror movies.