Kathy Bates Reveals Why She Missed Out on a Major Al Pacino Film Role

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Kathy Bates, famed for her role in Matlock, has always been cherished by many, particularly due to her captivating performance in the Stephen King adaptation titled Misery. Despite winning an Academy Award for her portrayal in this film, some fans might assume that she became a sought-after actress for significant movie roles afterwards. However, Bates herself clarifies that this was not the reality.

In an interview, Bates described the influx of Hollywood film offers after “Misery” as a barren desert. One role she aspired to play was one of the main characters in the 1992 film “Frankie and Johnny,” directed by Garry Marshall. Bates had previously acted as Frankie in the original off-Broadway production that the movie was based on, and with her recent Academy Award win, she appeared to be a strong contender for the part. However, Bates claims Marshall turned her down, stating he didn’t believe audiences would accept her in a leading role due to her casting.

He found it hard to envision that “the public would witness me sharing an on-screen kiss with another character,” as Bates explained about the part, eventually taken by Michelle Pfeiffer. “For me, kissing a male co-star on screen wouldn’t have been portrayed as romantic.

Bates remarked, “I’ve always felt this way about myself,” referring to a memory where she recalled her father informing her acting coach, “You see, she doesn’t fit the typical standard of beauty.

Apart from recalling another instance that left an impact on her, Bates mentioned an occurrence during the 1991 press tour for “At Play in the Fields of the Lord“. In this movie, she portrayed Aidan Quinn’s character’s wife. During the tour, a journalist questioned Quinn, “Given that you’re the leading man, is it plausible that you and Kathy could be married?” After hearing this, Bates felt so upset that she went to her room, closed the door, and cried like a young child might do.

Kathy Bates Has Earned High Praise For Her Matlock Role

Lately, Bates has been receiving a great deal of recognition for her work in the industry, which is currently preparing a second season following its initial success. This year, she received a standing ovation at the Critics Choice Awards for her role in Matlock. Despite some challenges in her career, Bates expressed her joy at being on an upward trajectory at this stage.

As Bates put it, this is about validating a career path that hasn’t always been at the top echelon, like hanging out in Ibiza and so on. It’s more of a winding road rather than a straight climb.

“You can catch Matlock on Paramount+, while episodes from the series are available for free streaming on Pluto TV. Right now, they’re working on Season 2.”

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2025-06-02 05:25