At age 77, Kathy Bates has been nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series at the 2025 Emmy Awards, making her the oldest nominee in that category to date.
Bates received the nomination for her lead role in the CBS legal drama Matlock, where she plays Madeline “Matty” Matlock, a seasoned attorney with an unconventional style.
The series is a modern reboot of the classic courtroom show that originally aired in the 1980s and 1990s.
Her nomination surpasses the previous age record held by Angela Lansbury, who was nominated in the same category at age 70 in 1996.
This is Bates’s 15th career Emmy nomination across various roles in television, spanning multiple genres.
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In a public statement following the announcement, Bates expressed appreciation for the recognition and acknowledged the work of the show's creative team and her fellow cast and crew.
The 2025 Emmy nominations also include other notable milestones, such as Britt Lower’s appearance in the Lead Actress category and Owen Cooper being recognized as one of the youngest nominees in Emmy history.
The 77th Primetime Emmy Awards are scheduled to take place on September 14, 2025.
Bates’s nomination highlights broader conversations around representation and longevity in the entertainment industry, particularly regarding age diversity in leading roles.
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