There’s no one equally terrifying and hilarious as Kathy Bates, who clinched awards for her roles in comedies, dramas, and thrillers.

Her ongoing role as a two-times cancer survivor living with lymphedema – her toughest to date – may not deliver a Hollywood award but as an inspiration, she’s earned global recognition.

The 75-year-old actor, who after having her uterus, breasts, and lymph nodes removed was diagnosed with an incurable lymphatic disease, said she’s “blessed” to use her “celebrity to do something that can maybe help people.” Keep reading to learn about this incredible actor’s health journey!

Tennessee-born Kathy Bates is a stage and screen performer, best known for her award-winning appearances in Misery, Primary Colors, Clint Eastwood’s Richard Jewell and American Horror Story: Coven.

The actor, who’s earned several nominations since she started her career in the early 1970s, is recognized for her terrifying, dramatic, and comedic roles.

In 2003, only one year after shocking audiences when she appeared all nude in her starring role opposite Jack Nicholson in About Schmidt, Bates learned she had ovarian cancer.

Then, in 2012, she was diagnosed with breast cancer, which resulted in a double mastectomy.

Bates’ bad luck with her health wasn’t going to improve.

‘I went berserk’

“Then I got something called lymphedema,” she told Kelly Clarkson when she appeared on her show in 2019. “I don’t know if you’ve heard of it, but for cancer, they remove lymph nodes. I don’t care anywhere in your body. If your lymph system is damaged, oftentimes the fluid will back up in the affected limb.”

In treating cancers, lymph nodes are often removed because the invasive disease often travels through the lymphatic system. Once the nodes are gone, extra lymph fluid can build up in tissues and cause swelling, usually in the arm and hand.

Speaking with survivors Net, the Dolores Claiborne star shares that the hardest part of her health journey wasn’t cancer, but lymphedema, a side effect of her surgery.