Kathy Bates Is Shocked After Realizing She Did, in Fact, Thank Her Mom in Oscars Speech: 'What a Relief'

Mar. 15, 2025

From L: Kathy Bates onCBS Sunday MorningSunday, Oct. 5, and winning an Oscar in 1991.Photo:CBS Sunday Morning/X; Vinnie Zuffante/Getty

CBS Sunday Morning/X; Vinnie Zuffante/Getty

Kathy Batesjust had an incredible realization about her 1991Academy Awardsspeech.

Bates, who won Best Actress that year for her starring role in the 1990 thrillerMisery, recently sat down for an interview with Ben Mankiewicz forCBS Sunday Morning.

During their chat, the actress, 76, claimed that she “forgot to thank” her mother Bertye Batesin her Oscars acceptance speech. After her win, Bates recalled her mom, who later died in 1997, telling her, " ‘I don’t know what all the excitement is about; you didn’t discover the cure for cancer.’ "

But when Mankiewicz had Bates watch her speech back, she came to the surprising realization that she did, in fact, thank her mother.

“I’d like to thank my family, my friends. My mom at home, my dad, who I hope is watching somewhere,” Bates was seen saying onstage at the show.

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Watching the footage, Bates grew visibly emotional, placing a hand over her mouth before telling Mankiewicz, 57, “Thank you! Why did I think I didn’t thank her? What a relief.”

After the host asked why it meant so much to Bates to know she thanked her mother, theMatlockactress replied, " ‘Cause she should’ve had my life."

“When she died, I said, ‘Come into me,’ " Bates continued. “I wanted her spirit to come into me. Even though we had so many difficulties, I wanted her spirit to come into me and enjoy everything I was enjoying because of what she’d given up."

“Wow. Thank you so much for that,” she told Mankiewicz.

Kathy Bates (R) and her mother Bertye Bates at the premiere ofMiseryin Los Angeles on Nov. 29, 1990.Vinnie Zuffante/Getty

Vinnie Zuffante/Getty

Bates began acting in the 1970s and built a significant career onstage before gaining attention on the big screen. She is perhaps best known for her Oscar-winning role as the villainous Annie Wilkes inMiseryopposite the lateJames Caan, adapted from theStephen Kingbook of the same name.

Back in July, the actress opened up during the TCA Press Tour about how she handled criticisms and attention her career as a younger actress garnered, before she found success.

“When I was younger, I guess Iwould get my feelings really hurt,” Bates said. “Sometimes I’d get on a plane and fly home.”

“So that’s what I’ve tried to do. But sometimes I take it too far and I can be like a bull in a China shop,” Bates added.

source: people.com