Kathy Bates: Garry Marshall Rejected Me Over Appearance
- Kathy Bates says the late Garry Marshall declined to cast her in the 1991 film Frankie and Johnny because of her looks.
- Bates, who won an Oscar for Misery, said she struggled to find roles afterward, partly as she didn't fit Hollywood's conventional image of a leading lady.
- Michelle Pfeiffer was ultimately cast as Frankie, opposite Al Pacino, in the movie about a waitress and a recently released convict who fall for each other.Bates said she...
Kathy Bates reveals that Garry Marshall rejected her for the Frankie and Johnny movie role because of her looks. Despite originating the role on stage, Marshall didn’t believe she fit hollywood’s standards for a romantic lead. Bates faced adversity, yet she built a prosperous career, proving her talent, and now she’s overcome the conventional image of many leading ladies. The actress discusses the personal impact of these criticisms, including comments from her father and a journalist. Find out how Bates persevered and what other challenges she faced during her journey. View the full story on News Directory 3. Discover what’s next …
Kathy Bates Says Garry Marshall rejected Her for Frankie and Johnny
Updated May 28, 2025
Kathy Bates says the late Garry Marshall declined to cast her in the 1991 film Frankie and Johnny because of her looks. Bates told Vanity Fair that Marshall didn’t believe audiences would accept her as a romantic lead, despite her originating the role in the stage production.
Bates, who won an Oscar for Misery, said she struggled to find roles afterward, partly as she didn’t fit Hollywood’s conventional image of a leading lady. She recalled that Marshall, who died in 2016, couldn’t envision her kissing someone onscreen romantically.
Michelle Pfeiffer was ultimately cast as Frankie, opposite Al Pacino, in the movie about a waitress and a recently released convict who fall for each other.Bates said she wasn’t surprised by Marshall’s decision, noting that she’d faced similar comments throughout her career. She recounted her father telling her acting teacher that she wasn’t “conventionally attractive.”
Bates also shared an anecdote about a British journalist who questioned Aidan quinn, her co-star in At Play in the fields of the Lord, about the believability of their marriage in the film. Bates said she was devastated by the comment.
Despite these experiences, Kathy Bates has achieved significant success in Hollywood, earning multiple Oscar nominations. She said she still finds it hard to accept praise, such as the standing ovation she received at the Critics Choice Awards for her role in Matlock.
“He couldn’t make the leap that people would see me onscreen kissing someone,” Bates said. “Me actually kissing a man onscreen — that would not be romantic.”
What’s next
Bates continues to work in film and television, defying Hollywood’s beauty standards and proving her talent as a versatile actress.