Kathy Bates Reveals the Shocking Struggles She Had to Conquer to Achieve Success

Actress Kathy Bates, famous for her strong performances, has recently shared that she is dealing with a serious long-term health condition. Even with this challenge, she continues to motivate us with her determination and love for acting.

Bates started her acting career in New York in 1970. Even though she didn’t fit the typical image of a leading lady, she kept going and found success as a character actor.

Looking back on those early years, Bates said, “I was never the young, pretty lead. I’ve always been more of a character actor. When I was younger, it was tough because I didn’t look like the typical star. It wasn’t just about getting work; it was also about dealing with how people saw me.”

Kathy Bates had a major career breakthrough at 42 when she played a crazy fan in the film “Misery,” which won her an Academy Award for Best Actress. Even though she often had few role options, Bates found strength and success in the characters she played.

Besides her acting, Bates has also directed episodes for well-known TV shows like “Homicide: Life on the Street,” “NYPD Blue,” “Oz,” and “Six Feet Under.” She has definitely made a strong impact in the entertainment world.

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But Kathy Bates has also had health challenges in her personal life. She fought cancer twice: first with ovarian cancer in 2003, and then with breast cancer in 2012. After her breast cancer surgery, she was diagnosed with lymphedema and became a spokesperson for the Lymphatic Education & Research Network.

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Lymphedema is a condition that causes swelling in the arms or legs. Despite dealing with this challenge, Kathy Bates has shown amazing strength by managing her symptoms through weight loss and wearing compression sleeves. She emphasizes the importance of taking things slow and focusing on each task, refusing to let the condition control her life. Bates uses her own experiences to inspire others with lymphedema to live fully.

In addition to raising awareness for lymphedema, Bates is committed to funding research for the condition. Even with her diagnosis, she continues to take on roles she loves and advocate for the cause. She demonstrates that it’s possible not just to cope with a chronic health condition, but to truly thrive.

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Let Kathy Bates’ inspiring story remind you to tackle your own challenges head-on. Share this article to raise awareness and encourage others in their battle with lymphedema.

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This Star Is Now Living Privately with Famous Spouse – He Proposed on 2nd Date & Still Loves Her at Any Weight

Delta Burke had once been in the center of the spotlight with project after project lining up for her, but after leaving “Designing Women,” her fame and work also started to fizzle out.

After having almost not-so-successful projects, the actress decided to stay out of the spotlight and live life like a regular citizen.

Despite her many changes, her husband of more than three decades declared he would still love her no matter what. Here’s a look into Delta Burke’s life.

Delta Burke on the set of "Designing Women" | Source: Getty Images

Delta Burke came into the limelight when she won the Miss Florida title in 1974. She went on to the Miss America Pageant, won a talent scholarship, and studied at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts.

Burke got into film in 1979 when she starred in “The Seekers” and “The Chisholms.” However, she is best known as Suzanne Sugarbaker in the 1986 series “Designing Women.”

She started a production company that produced “Delta” and “Women of the House,” and Burke starred in both projects. Later, she started her clothing design company called Delta Burke Design.

Burke took the role of Suzanne Sugarbaker in “Designing Women” for five out of the seven seasons the show ran for because the show’s producers fired her.

After firing her, she said the executive producers, Linda Bloodworth-Thomason and Harry Thomason, psychologically abused her.

However, the executive producers and the show’s stars said Burke made things difficult for everybody, so they fired her. Burke said,

“Basically, it became unbearable into the second season for me. By the end of the fourth season, I just couldn’t live like that anymore.”

Delta Burke attending the 27th Annual International Broadcasting Award in Los Angeles | Source: Getty Images

Burke described the work environment as bizarre, and people didn’t believe her. She then went to ask for help from people who had power, and they didn’t help her.

Even though she missed her character after a few months, she said she had no regrets about being off the show. After over a year, she said she had gotten used to her weight but wanted to lose some pounds.

But after leaving “Designing Women,” she changed her looks and was reportedly looking heavier than before in the next series she starred in titled “Dayo.”

In 2012, while shooting her show “Counter Culture,” Burke fell. The fall led to the cancellation of the show. After that, Burke stayed out of the spotlight for some years.

Later, when she was spotted going out for lunch, she looked entirely different. In place of her signature bouffant hair was a brunette bob, and she ditched the vivid lipstick for a relatively makeup-free face.

The actress who suffered very public weight battles had also lost some weight. Besides weight problems, she had battled with depression, hoarding problems, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

In 2008, she sought treatment at a psychiatric hospital, and even though she wasn’t looking forward to any work, she felt more than happy with life.

Burke, who is healthier and happier, was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. However, she said her husband, Gerald McRaney, always reminds her what to eat and what not to eat.

Delta Burke at the after party of her Broadway debut in "Thoroughly Modern Millie" | Source: Getty Images

Despite everything she and her husband have gone through, her husband will always love her no matter what. She said,

“Mac loves me no matter what. He loved me when I got as big as a house. He loved me when I was a blonde.”

She said her husband didn’t tell her he hated her blonde hair until she returned to brunette. He always loved her through any situation and still thinks her body looks great even though she feels it does not.

Burke and McRaney met in 1987 when she was a guest star on his detective show “Simon & Simon.” He knew he had competition, but McRaney was not ready to let her go.

McRaney asked her to marry him on their second date even though his friends were against it. They never wanted him to marry an actress, but McRaney knew only an actress would understand his work hours.

In 1989, they got married, and their marriage was McRaney’s third marriage but Burke’s first.

McRaney started acting in junior high school after injuring his knees during a football session. He was a guest star on “Gunsmoke: Hard Labor” before making his big break on “Simon & Simon” in 1981.

Burke and the “This Is Us” actor never had children together, but she became the proud stepmom to his kids from his previous marriages.

The couple worked together on different projects, and McRaney revealed that, unlike other couples, they do better when they are together 24/7.

Gerald McRaney and Delta Burke at the Television Academy's Performers Peer Group Celebration on August 21, 2017, in Beverly Hills | Source: Getty Images

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