ActressKathy Batesis reflecting on her career and pulling no punches about one director's criticism of her looks—criticism that led to lead actressMichelle Pfeifferbeing cast in a role Bates originated Off-Broadway. The 76-year-oldMatlockstar sat down for a bold new interview withVanity Fairand cleared the air about why she wasn't cast inGarry Marshall'sFrankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune, a role she originated on stage. Related: Jimmy Kimmel Is A Grandpa! See the Talk Show Host's Hilarious Announcement In the June issue ofVanity Fair, Bates explains why she was passed over for the 1991 film adaptation ofFrankie and Johnny, which starred Pfeiffer and Al Pacino. Referring to Marshall, who directed the film, Bates said, "He couldn't make the leap that people would see me onscreen kissing someone. Me actually kissing a man onscreen—that would not be romantic." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vanity Fair (@vanityfair) The Academy Award winner also shared other slights she's endured during her long acting career. She revealed that in a film she starred in afterMisery—for which she won the Best Actress Oscar—she had a kissing scene that was ultimately cut. While promotingAt Play in the Fields of the Lordwith co-starAidan Quinn,Bates recalled a British journalist asking Quinn if he thought their pairing as a married couple was realistic. Related: Chrissy Teigen Gets Real About Struggle To Stay Sober: 'Always Proud of You' So upset by the journalist's rude question, Bates wanted some time to herself and booked the first flight she could find—only to get on the plane and be greeted by a magazine featuring Pfeiffer promotingFrankie and Johnny. 🎬SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox🎬 Kathy Bates Reacts To Director Who Criticized Her Appearance: 'You're No Michelle Pfeiffer'first appeared on Parade on May 28, 2025
