SL_Spotlight_0325_Layout 1 4 / 2 / 25 11 : 22 AM Page 1 s S P O T L I G H T You have said your role in Matlock reminds you of your mother . Can you elaborate ? There’s a lot of what I imagine my mother , Mary , could have been if she had been given the opportunity to realize her dreams of becoming a lawyer . I think about the frustration she must have felt of having that kind of dream and having it subverted by the time period she lived in . Why was this the right role at this time in your life ? Well , because a woman my age would never have received such a role , and the complexity of the role and the writing . I pinch myself every day . This is certainly a business where a lot of ageism exists . I’ve only been interested in doing the best work I can possibly do . So to be able to Unstoppable bring in all those facets that I’ve learned from doing all those different kinds of roles into this , I’m glad I stuck around for it . From Misery to Matlock , the legendary Given your own career experiences , Kathy Bates continues to breathe life into do you relate with some of the chal - lenges your character goes through ? some of entertainment’s most formidable When I was younger , I would get my feel - characters . ings hurt . Sometimes I’d get on a plane and fly home . But I had a wonderful pro - BY DEBRA WALLACE ducer , God rest his soul , the three - time Oscar - winning Saul Zaentz . I remember Kathy Bates has long had a life philosophy that has kept her in good stead . we were in London doing a British press Throughout her stellar 50 - year acting stage and screen career , which began in tour and it was a nightmare . I remember I 1971 with Milos Forman’s film Taking Off , Bates is known for always working got very upset , and I said , “ I’m going hard to be the best that she can be . home , that’s it . I’m not going to put myself “ I’ve only ever been interested in doing the best work that I can possibly do every through this anymore . ” I remember Saul single time , ” says the multi - award - winning actor , now 76 . “ I always want to dig deep and coming up to me and saying , “ You gotta at the same time also make it look easy . ” get tougher . ” And someone else had said During her acclaimed career , Bates has received an Oscar for her portrayal of the to me around that same time , “ You gotta psychotic , obsessed fan Annie Wilkes in the 1990 psychological thriller Misery , two have a head like a bullet and a heart like a Primetime TV Emmy Awards ( Two and a Half Men and American Horror Story ) and a Best baby . ” So that’s what I’ve tried to do . But Actress Tony Award for her emotional role in Long Day’s Journey into Night . sometimes I take it too far and I can be like The iconic actor stars as an experienced attorney named Madeline “ Matty ” Matlock a bull in a china shop . But I’m not like my in Matlock , a clever new CBS legal series with a surprise twist . It also has a wink and a nod characters ; I wish I was . to Andy Griffith’s beloved , folksy legal drama of the same name , which ran from 1986 to 1995 , and helped set the stage for the many procedural dramas to follow . You previously mentioned wanting to In the new Matlock , Bates ’ character , Matty , rejoins the work force at a prestigious retire . Did you change your mind ? law firm , where she uses her unassuming demeanor and clever tactics to win cases and I had thought I might semi - retire or retire , expose corruption . The witty new series fits in perfectly with Bates ’ overall career ; she is but then Matlock came along , so I am not known for her portrayals of strong women who act against the societal norms . ready to take a final bow yet . I am having Despite earlier mentions of possible retirement , Bates tells us she’s not ready for her the best time with this show . I am eager to “ last dance ” anytime soon . stay with this for several years . ! SUBURBANLIFEMAGAZINE.COM VOLUME 16 ISSUE 5 64 |