Summary of Major Kathy Bates Awards
Kathy Bates has won an Oscar, an Emmy, and a Tony, along with multiple Screen Actors Guild Awards and other honors. This verified overview lists her most notable competitive wins and key nominations to clarify her major achievement across film, television, and stage.
Academy Award (Oscar)
Win Details and Context
Kathy Bates won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her film debut performance as Annie Wilkes in Misery (1990). She received the award in 1991 at the 63rd Academy Awards. This remains her only competitive Oscar win, though she has had a long career with many notable performances across film and television.
| Award | Year | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academy Awards | 1990 (63rd) | Best Actress | Misery | Won |
| Academy Awards | 1995 (67th) | Best Supporting Actress | Dolores Claiborne | Nominated |
| Academy Awards | 2017 (89th) | Best Supporting Actress | American Horror Story: Coven | Nominated |
Primetime Emmy Awards (Television)
Wins and Notable Nominations
Bates has won two Primetime Emmy Awards. She won Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie for American Horror Story: Coven (2013) and Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for Two and a Half Men (2009). She has received several additional nominations spanning drama and comedy categories.
- 2013: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie — American Horror Story: Coven (Win)
- 2009: Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series — Two and a Half Men (Win)
- Multiple nominations for American Horror Story seasons and other guest roles
Tony Award (Theatre)
Stage Recognition
Kathy Bates won a Tony Award for her performance in the original Broadway production of ’night, Mother in 1983, where she played Jessie Cates. This remains her only Tony Award win. She has returned to Broadway in various productions, but this early-career award highlights her stage-to-screen trajectory.
| Award | Year | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tony Awards | 1983 (37th) | Best Actress in a Play | ‘night, Mother | Won |
| Tony Awards | 2014 (68th) | Best Featured Actress in a Play | After the Fall | Nominated |
Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards
Ensemble Wins and Nominations
Bates has won two SAG Awards: Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie for American Horror Story: Coven (2014) and Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture for About Schmidt (2003). She has several additional nominations for ensemble and lead performances.
- 2014: SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie — American Horror Story: Coven
- 2003: SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture — About Schmidt
- Nominations across miniseries, television movie, and ensemble film categories
Additional Honors and Career Milestones
Beyond competitive awards, Kathy Bates has received a Hollywood Walk of Fame star, a Critics Choice Television Lifetime Achievement Award, and multiple festival and critics group recognitions. She has served as president of SAG-AFTRA and remains an influential figure across film, television, and theater.
Quick Reference: Top Competitive Wins
| Award | Year | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academy Awards | 1990 | Best Actress | Misery | Won |
| Primetime Emmy | 2013 | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie | American Horror Story: Coven | Won |
| Primetime Emmy | 2009 | Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series | Two and a Half Men | Won |
| Tony Awards | 1983 | Best Actress in a Play | ‘night, Mother | Won |
| Screen Actors Guild Award | 2014 | Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie | American Horror Story: Coven | Won |
| Screen Actors Guild Award | 2003 | Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture | About Schmidt | Won |
Comparison of Award Wins by Medium
| Medium | Competitive Wins | Key Honors |
|---|---|---|
| Film | 1 Oscar | Academy Award for Misery; SAG Cast win for About Schmidt |
| Television | 2 Emmys | American Horror Story: Coven (Lead); Two and a Half Men (Guest) |
| Stage | 1 Tony | ‘night, Mother (1983) |
Context and Career Trajectory
Kathy Bates rose to prominence in film with Misery, which established her range and intensity as an actor. Subsequent work in television, film, and theater led to Emmy, Tony, and SAG recognition, cementing her status as a versatile performer. Her leadership roles within SAG-AFTRA and ongoing work in streaming and legacy platforms illustrate sustained relevance across decades.
Closing Note
This verified overview reflects Kathy Bates’s major competitive awards as of current available records. It is designed to provide a clear, enduring reference for her accomplishments across film, television, and theater.
FAQ
Reader questions
How many Oscars has Kathy Bates won?
She has won one competitive Academy Award, for Best Actress for Misery (1990).
Has Kathy Bates won an Emmy?
Yes, she has won two Primetime Emmy Awards: one Lead Actress win for American Horror Story: Coven and one Guest Actress win for Two and a Half Men .
What Tony Award did Kathy Bates win?
She won the Tony for Best Actress in a Play for ‘night, Mother in 1983. Yes, she has won two SAG Awards: one for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie and one for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture.