‘Your Cheeks Are Sunk In’: ‘Matlock’ Star Kathy Bates, 76, Reveals 100-Lb Weight Loss, Causing a Stir

Kathy Bates recently shared candid reflections about her weight loss journey after clarifying the comment she made about retiring last month (September).

Hollywood icon Kathy Bates, 76, is opening up about the lifestyle changes she made after being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Speaking to People magazine, Bates shared how losing weight has helped her, especially with her role in “Matlock.” This sparked a flurry of negative comments online.

In a teaser video post of the interview, the “Misery” star disclosed, “I lost 100 lbs. and it all just coincided beautifully so that physically I’m capable of doing this show. I don’t have to sit down. I can stand up all day long, and walk, and move, and breathe, and do so many things that I couldn’t do before.”

She continued, “It’s the confluence of these things, these opportunities. I can, you know — my wonderful costume designer is here today, Hope Hanafin, she came out of retirement to work with us.”

Bates went on to gush over the fact that her weight loss has enabled Hanafin to pick clothing items off the rack that fit the actress “perfectly.”

“They just have to take the hem up […] or even take it in, you know. And I’m like, ‘Oh my God! This is really happening,’ you know, and it’s just so exciting, and it’s emotional,” expressed the “Titanic” talent.

Upon seeing this snippet of her interview, social media users wasted no time in passing judgment. “Ozempic is a drug needed for diabetics! You rich celebrities using it as a dietary supplement! SICK” criticized an Instagrammer.

Another echoed, “Being diabetic and unable to have access to this due to celebrity [sic] snapping it all up … is a hard pass for me.” “Why does everyone on Ozempic look 10 years older? Age does not equate [sic] beauty. Just asking,” added someone else.

A commenter reflected, “As an actor, it really doesn’t matter if you’re thin, or fat, but as a human being with longevity of life, it does so good for you [sic].”

On the other hand, an observer urged, “Congrats. But stop losing. Your cheeks are sunk in.” Amid the critique, however, came a few positive comments.

“Congratulations! You are beautiful no matter what,” praised a fan while another defended, “Why can’t people just be happy for someone if they are happy. Why does everyone have to hate on your happiness just because you used ozempic [sic] to help you lose weight.”

During the interview, Bates revealed that while she lost 80 lbs over the last seven years through diet and lifestyle changes, the remaining 20 lbs were lost via Ozempic. However, the actress made it a point to clarify that she worked hard to lose the initial weight.

She also spoke about how her diabetes type 2 diagnosis and her family’s history with the ailment compelled her to get serious about her health.

“[Diabetes] runs in my family, and I’d seen what my father had gone through. He had had a leg amputated. One of my sisters is dealing with it very seriously, and it terrified me. It scared me straight,” noted Bates.

Taking advice from her niece about listening to her body when she’s eating, Bates shared how she “pushed the plate away” when her body indicated she was full with an “involuntary sigh.”

While she still enjoys the occasional treat here and there, Bates has stopped eating “terribly” and does not consume food after 8 pm.

Regarding how she plans on maintaining her new figure, the star admitted that coming up with a workout routine may prove to be challenging now that “Matlock” has wrapped its first season, and she won’t be “on set running back and forth.”

However, she did mention that she has a treadmill at her home and she might try out Pilates. “People always ask, ‘Don’t you want a trainer?’ No, I really don’t. I don’t want anybody over my shoulder. It’s just very important to me to keep this going. I don’t want to slip,” divulged the star.

Aside from her weight loss providing her with vigor and vitality, Kathy Bates also said it has helped ease her lymphedema symptoms.

She was diagnosed with lymphedema (a condition that causes swelling due to lymph fluid buildup in the body) after undergoing a double mastectomy following her breast cancer diagnosis in 2012.

“It’s been a tremendous benefit for me. I’m lucky that I don’t have to wear my compression sleeves every day,” swooned the National Commission on Lymphatic Disease collaborator, who hopes to inspire people by sharing her journey.

Bates’ interview comes weeks after she clarified her intention behind saying “Matlock” would be her “last dance.”

While standing on the red carpet of the 2024 Emmy Awards speaking to Entertainment Weekly and People, she explained, “What I meant was, I had one foot out the door until I read the script for ‘Matlock.’ And then I read ‘Matlock’ and I said, ‘Ooooooookay [sic], close the door. We’re gonna do some more.’ I want it to run for years. It’s that great.”

Viewers were just as excited as Bates for “Matlock” when they saw a video of the cast hyping up the then-upcoming show. However, amid the anticipation, some netizens reacted strongly to her appearance.

Bates, looking poised in a navy blue suit, joined her co-stars for a playful teaser about the show. Their banter was underscored by the words, “More twists coming your way.”

The clip ended with Bates revealing that the series was set to premiere on September 22. Reacting to the news concerning Bates starring in “Matlock,” one person on X enthused, “Matlock is returning? Kathy Bates is a great actress too. Playing Matlock’s daughter.” Another chimed in with, “Kathy Bates is Matlock. I’m very intrigued.”

However, Bates’ weight loss also caught people’s attention with some fans having expressed concern. One comment read, “Love Kathy to death but honey you can’t lose that much weight after a certain age. Your skin just hangs there.”

Others had trouble identifying her. “Wow. I didn’t recognize her.😮,” wrote one spectator. Questions like, “OMG, what happened to her? I love her but is this even her? She was fine before????” popped up as well.

Another commenter echoed similar sentiments, “I almost didn’t recognize her… her face looks so thin. I love Kathy always have!” Meanwhile, someone else pondered, “Who is this woman.”

There were also speculations made about her weight loss. “Ozempic got Kathy Bates too,” said one person. However, a fan countered,“She’s one of those who ages beautifully.”

The new CBS series “Matlock” provides a fresh take on the original classic legal drama from ’80s and ’90s, which ran for nine seasons.

In the series, Bates stars as the clever attorney Madeline “Matty” Matlock. Her character has a hidden agenda as she manoeuvres her way into a prestigious Chicago law firm.

Reflecting on her role, the Oscar-winning actress shared, “Matlock has an agenda that not everyone knows about. I love playing all those different notes.”

When asked if she anticipated landing a role like this in her seventies, Bates described it as a career milestone. She considers it an extraordinary gift to have such a role at this stage in her career, and admitted she never imagined she’d enjoy a third act quite like this one.

“‘I’ve never thought at my age I’d be playing such a wonderful role and for network, which so many people are going to see,” she noted.

Her character is a woman who seems forgotten and overlooked, but cleverly turns her perceived disadvantage — her age — into an asset. She uses her deep knowledge of life experience and wisdom to truly connect with people, preferring genuine interactions over technology.

This personal touch plays a crucial role in solving cases and navigating her world. When asked if she has ever felt invisible, Bates recounted a humorous incident from the Paramount lot, where “Matlock” is filmed.

She mentioned that during studio tours, she often went unnoticed while riding around in her golf cart. Bates described it as a running joke, explaining that she would pass by, and people would ignore her completely. At the time, she recalled thinking to herself, “What’s going on? Don’t they know who I am?”

Initially, she would give a small wave, but then she waved her arms frantically to get noticed. Bates joked that her invisibility might be due to aging or losing weight, adding that if she weren’t so well-known, she would likely be invisible.

Regarding her ideal number of “Matlock” seasons, Bates expressed a desire to do about five. She remarked that it would depend on how long she is able to continue, adding with a smile, “We’ll see how long God gives me.”