Oscar-winning actress Kathy Bates recently announced her retirement from acting and fans are wondering why she decided to quit. Many are also curious to know what Bates’ last movie or TV show was. In a career that has spanned around 50 years, Bates has appeared in multiple films and television shows like Misery, Titanic, Midnight in Paris, and many more.
So why is Kathy Bates retiring and quitting acting? Here’s all you need to know.
Why is Kathy Bates quitting acting?
In a recent interview with The New York Times, Kathy Bates mentioned she had been planning to quit acting after a recent movie shoot, expressing how it had taken over her life. “It becomes my life. Sometimes I get jealous of having this talent. Because I can’t hold it back, and I just want my life,” Bates shared. She has not disclosed what movie this was.
However, her retirement plans were postponed when she got the script for CBS’ new Matlock series, in which she plays protagonist Madeline Matlock. This is a gender-flipped version of the original Matlock show starring Andy Griffith. This was weeks after she’d informed her agents of her decision to retire.
Bates expressed having greatly connected with Matlock because of how the character faced injustices much like Bates did early on in her career.
Which is Kathy Bates’ last movie and TV show?
Kathy Bates’ last TV show performance is expected to be in CBS’ Matlock. She mentioned in The New York Times interview that this project is her “last dance.”
Bates’ last known TV movie is The Great Lillian Hall, wherein she plays the role of Edith Wilson. However, according to Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter, Bates was also cast in Thelma and The Smack back in 2022.
