Kathy Bates is in great spirits these days, feeling better than ever about her health and career. In a recent interview with People magazine, the 76-year-old actress opened up about her weight loss journey and how it has transformed her experiences on set.
Recalling her time on the 2011 drama series Harry’s Law, Bates shared that she struggled with her weight, often needing to sit down between takes. “When I was so heavy in Harry’s Law, I had to sit down in between every take, and it was awful,” Bates admitted. “I’m ashamed to have put myself through that, to be honest.”
Now, after losing 100 pounds over several years, Bates feels healthier and more energized. She explained that she’s able to move freely, breathe easily, and enjoy her work without pain. “I get tired and realize I’m like an old lady, but even the kids get tired,” she said. “But it’s been a magnificent experience.”
Bates, who is also a cancer survivor, explained that her weight loss journey began after being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, a condition that runs in her family. “I’d seen what my father had gone through,” she said, noting that her father had to have a leg amputation, and one of her sisters is also dealing with the disease. “It terrified me. It scared me straight.”
Initially, Bates lost 80 pounds through a combination of diet and exercise. She then shed an additional 20 pounds after starting a GLP-1 medication. This transformation has coincided with the timing of her new role in the reboot of Matlock, where she feels physically capable of performing without the limitations she once faced.
“Physically, I’m capable of doing this show,” Bates said. “I don’t have to sit down. I can stand up all day long and walk and move and breathe and do so many things that I couldn’t before.”
