Kathy Bates, the renowned actress known for her work in films such as Misery, recently made an appearance on the talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live. During the interview, Bates discussed her successful career and shared some fascinating stories, including her connection to the body of John Wilkes Booth.
Bates, who currently stars as an attorney named Matlock in the show’s season finale, talked about the immense success of the series. She mentioned that the show is currently the number two show on the network and ranks sixth across the entire television ecosystem. However, when Jimmy Kimmel jokingly compared her to Donald Trump, Bates playfully brushed off the remark.
The conversation then shifted to Bates’ early career, and Kimmel highlighted her Oscar win for best actress in Misery back in 1990. Bates revealed that before Misery, she mainly worked on Broadway and off Broadway as an actress. Winning the Oscar for her first major film role was a significant milestone for her.
Bates also shared a hilarious anecdote about her trip to Chicago after winning the Oscar. She was set to do a small role in a movie, and while walking to the set, she experienced an unexpected level of fame as fans were screaming for her autograph. This newfound stardom led to amusing situations, such as needing a bodyguard and using an autographed paper to clean up after her dog during a late-night walk.
In a surprising twist, Bates revealed that her grandfather had a strange connection to the body of John Wilkes Booth, the assassin of President Abraham Lincoln. Her grandfather, a lawyer in Texas, had met a man named John St. Helen, who claimed to be the real John Wilkes Booth. St. Helen, who later changed his name to David George, confessed his true identity to Bates’ grandfather. To prove it, he even had a picture hidden under his pillow. After St. Helen passed away, Bates’ grandfather had his body shipped to him to authenticate his identity. Bates joked that the body, known as “Uncle John,” was eventually sold to a traveling circus.
Moving away from her personal stories, Bates discussed her role as Matlock on the show. She explained that her character is a woman whose daughter passed away from an opioid overdose years before the events of the series. Using her age as a tool, Matlock sneaks her way into a law firm to solve cases and also uncover hidden documents related to the opioid epidemic. The character’s determination to seek justice for her daughter grabbed Bates’ attention and made her eager to take on the role.
Throughout the interview, Bates and Kimmel engaged in playful banter and humorous exchanges, showcasing the actress’s wit and charm. Her stories and experiences created a lively and entertaining atmosphere on the talk show.
As Bates concluded her time on Jimmy Kimmel Live, viewers were left with a mix of laughter, intrigue, and admiration for the talented actress. With her remarkable career and captivating anecdotes, Kathy Bates continues to entertain and inspire audiences worldwide.
[Note: The air date and specific details of the episode were not provided in the given information.]
