Kathy Bates Says Ryan Murphy 'Rejuvenated My Career' withAmerican Horror StoryRole After Thinking It Might Be 'Over'

Mar. 15, 2025

From left: Kathy Bates and Ryan Murphy.Photo:Dan Doperalski/GG2025/Penske Media via Getty; Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic

Dan Doperalski/GG2025/Penske Media via Getty; Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic

Kathy Batesis creditingRyan Murphywith revitalizing her career after casting her onAmerican Horror Story.

During an appearance on theDinner’s On Mepodcast, theMatlockstar, 76, explained why she thought Murphy, 59, “rejuvenated my career” when she joined the cast of the hit FX anthology series — which he co-created withBrad Falchuk—  following the cancellation of her legal comedy drama show,Harry’s Law, in 2012.

“Right before he gave me the opportunity to do the show, I had breast cancer andHarry’s Lawhad been cancelled rather unpleasantly…” she told hostJesse Tyler Ferguson. “When that summer happened, it was degrading. I felt kind of humiliated. I felt like I had let my cast down and had never been through an experience like that.”

Kathy Bates on ‘American Horror Story: Hotel’.FX Networks/Courtesy Everett Collection

FX Networks/Courtesy Everett Collection

“And then breast cancer, which does run in my family, so I wasn’t surprised,” she added. “But, it was more painful than I thought it was going to be and I really felt like this is my career over.”

As fans may recall, Batesappearedin season 3 ofAmerican Horror Story, playing Delphine LaLaurie. She starred in the following three seasons and made her final appearance in season 8, playing Miriam Mead, Miriam Mead 2.0, and Delphine LaLaurie.

The Academy Award winner now stars as Madeline Matlock on the CBS reboot of the legal dramaMatlock, which is a twist on the original series that ran from 1986 to 1995 and starred Andy Griffith.

In October, Bates confirmed to PEOPLE that sheisn’t ready to step away from the industryafter she made headlines for saying theMatlockreboot would be her “last dance”after a five-decade career.

“I think people got confused and thought I was going to retire,” she said. “What I meant was, how can it get any better? I would love for this to keep going."

Kathy Bates on ‘Matlock’.Sonja Flemming/CBS via Getty

Sonja Flemming/CBS via Getty

The hit series gave Bates renewed hope aftera period of frustrationdue to the limited roles being offered to a woman her age.

“I remember calling my agents and saying, ‘I think maybe I want to go into, if not retirement, semi-retirement. If I can’t afford to keep my house, I’ll sell it and maybe go to New York,’” she shared at the time. “Then this happened. I couldn’t believe it.”

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Matlockairs Sundays at 10 p.m. ET on CBS.

source: people.com