Kathy Bates denies retirement from acting: 'It was misunderstood'
Kathy Bates is not ready to retire!
During an interview with "On the Red Carpet" at the 76th Emmy Awards red carpet on Sunday, the Oscar winner who stars as Madeline Matlock in the new CBS reboot "Matlock" addressed the recent update about her retirement from acting.
The news came after her interview with the New York Times published on Sept. 8, where she told the outlet that "Matlock" would be her final show, calling it her "last dance."
A source told ABC News on Monday that "it is understood that Bates changed her mind after doing 'Matlock.'"
However, as much as she said she was "flattered" that the retirement report "went around the globe," Bates told ABC's George Pennacchio that she was "misunderstood."
"I think it was misunderstood because I had one foot out the door until I read Jennie [Snyder] Urman's script and I was like, 'okay, now we're talking.' And I want the show ['Matlock'] to run for years and years," she said.
The original series of "Matlock" ran from 1986-1995, starring Andy Griffith as a defense lawyer named Benjamin Matlock.
The reboot show will chronicle Bates' character, who rejoins the law workforce as a senior, scoring legal victories in courtrooms.
In the interview with the New York Times to discuss the show, she said she felt like she was called to do the role, especially after experiencing some injustices in the early days of her career.
"Everything I've prayed for, worked for, clawed my way up for, I am suddenly able to be asked to use all of it," she said at the time. "And it's exhausting."
Throughout her profession, Bates has won an Oscar for her role as Annie Wilkes in "Misery" and two Emmys for her roles in "American Horror Story: Coven" and "Two and a Half Men."
Despite her success, when reflecting on her acting career, she only recalled some of the blunders, telling the New York Times, "I never felt dressed right or well."
"I felt like a misfit," she said. "It's that line in 'Misery' when Annie says, 'I'm not a movie star.' I'm not."
"Matlock" will premiere on CBS on Sept. 22 and will be available to stream on Paramount+.
