LOS ANGELES – If you ever need more evidence that Katy Bates is a good egg all you need to do is listen to her comments to the assembled press after she won the supporting actress in a miniseries or movie Emmy Award Monday night. Bates is an Oscar winner, a two-time Golden Globe recipient, a two-time SAG Awards winner and, now, a two-time Emmy winner. And, yet, she's always humble and simply nothing like the iconic role in “Misery” that made her a star.
The 66-year-old actress admitted she was expecting at least two other people to win and was “hoping” either of her “American Horror Story: Coven” co-stars, Frances Conroy or Angela Bassett, took home the honor. Instead, after upsetting presumed winner Julia Roberts, Bates earned another statue for her mantle. She says she shared this win with her “Coven” crew because she'd never seen one “work such long hours and long days.” Moreover, she told the press on hand this was special because of Robin Williams recent passing.
“Years and years ago when I won my first big award for 'Misery,' a Golden Globe, they didn't have cell phones in those days,” Bates begins. “So, I was waiting at the pay phone to call my mom and I realized I didn't have a quarter so I turned around and said, 'Hey, does anyone have a quarter?' And Robin stepped up and said 'Hey, here's a quarter. Call your mother.' I never forgot that kindness.”
Bates continues, “And then years later when I was up for an Oscar, he had won the year before and was giving out best supporting for ladies and Dame Judi Dench won. At the commercial break he came over to me and said, 'I really wish I could have had your name in the envelope. Are you OK? I know how hard it is to lose.' He was so kind to me. I didn't know him well, but he was so kind. So, this is a special night for that reason too. I almost wanted to say, 'Look I won this time and this is for you.'”
And in just a few minutes, Bates reminds everyone why Williams death has had such an impact around the world.
For more from Bates including how she was “gutted” by the cancellation of “Harry's Law” and the landscape of television and film roles for actors of her caliber check out the video embedded at the top of this post.