Kathy Bates, a renowned actress with a decades-long career in television and film, has earned a reputation for portraying fierce, commanding characters. Off-screen, she exudes the same strength, even when faced with significant personal challenges, including a chronic health condition that led her to make major lifestyle changes.

In 1970, Bates moved to New York to pursue acting, reflecting on the hurdles she faced early in her career. “I was never an ingénue,” she said. “I’ve always been a character actor. When I was younger, it was tough—not just because work was scarce, but because I had to come to terms with how people viewed me. I was never considered ‘pretty enough.’”

Her breakthrough on Broadway came in 1980 with her role as Stella May in Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean. While she often lost out on film adaptations of her stage roles, everything changed when she was cast as the obsessive fan Annie Wilkes in the 1990 film Misery. At 42, Bates skyrocketed to stardom, earning an Academy Award for Best Actress for her chilling performance.

Reflecting on her career, Bates spoke about the roles available to her: “You’re either young and glamorous, getting the lead, or you’re not attractive enough, playing the friend, the villain, the lesbian, or the doctor. The young, pretty lead lacks power, while character roles have power but little femininity.”

Beyond acting, Bates ventured into directing, working on episodes of acclaimed shows such as Homicide: Life on the Street, NYPD Blue, Oz, and Six Feet Under.

In her personal life, Bates has faced significant health struggles, being diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2003 and breast cancer in 2012. After her breast cancer surgery, she revealed she had developed lymphedema, a chronic condition affecting the lymphatic system. Bates has since become an advocate for the condition, serving as a spokesperson for the Lymphatic Education & Research Network and raising awareness about the challenges it presents.

Through resilience and determination, Bates continues to inspire both on and off the screen.

Kathy Bates has shared her journey of losing 80 pounds over the past few years as part of managing her health. She regularly wears compression sleeves to prevent swelling in her arms, particularly during flights or physically demanding activities, as these can trigger flare-ups of her condition.

To keep her lymphedema in check, Bates emphasizes the importance of slowing down and being mindful. “If I can stop rushing, relax my shoulders, straighten my spine, breathe deeply, and focus on each little moment of completing a task, I gain more confidence in managing LE. The pandemic really taught me to slow down,” she revealed.

Her message to others living with lymphedema is clear: don’t let the condition limit your life. “Wearing a compression garment in public can sometimes feel harder than dealing with the disease itself, especially when people don’t understand LE. But isolating yourself at home and leading a sedentary life will only worsen both your physical and mental health,” she advised.

Bates is determined to ensure her condition doesn’t define her, a philosophy she applies to her own life. She remains active in her career, taking on roles she loves while also advocating for increased research and awareness about lymphedema. As a vocal supporter of the Lymphatic Education & Research Network, she pushes for more funding and education around the condition.

Despite her diagnosis, Kathy Bates refuses to let it slow her down. She continues to thrive, balancing her work, advocacy, and personal well-being, proving that life with a chronic condition can still be full and fulfilling.