Kathy Bates Reflects on Her Surprising Journey with 'The Waterboy' and 'Matlock'

Kathy Bates Shares Her Unexpected Script Experience

Kathy Bates, the acclaimed actress with both Oscar and Emmy accolades, recently recounted a fascinating story about her first impression of the script for the 1998 comedy The Waterboy. In a candid video interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Bates admitted that she initially tossed the script aside due to her unfamiliarity with Adam Sandler, the film's lead. "I had no idea who Adam Sandler was when I received the script. It was about football, and I thought, 'Oh, let me give this a shot.' After reading twelve pages, I concluded, 'This is absurd,' and threw it away," she shared, reflecting on her initial reaction.

Fortunately, her niece, who collaborates with her, found the discarded script and encouraged her to take a second look. "What is this?" she inquired, to which Bates responded, "It's a script by some kid named Adam Sandler." Her niece's excitement about Sandler, especially his popular song The Chanukah Song, motivated Bates to revisit the script. "I decided to give it another chance for Linda's sake. Ultimately, we had a blast. He's a genius," Bates remarked, reminiscing about the fun she had working alongside Sandler.

In The Waterboy, Bates portrayed Mama Boucher, the fiercely protective mother of Bobby Boucher, played by Sandler, who is a socially awkward water boy. Bates also touched on her near-miss with another notable project, Matlock, revealing that she almost overlooked the script due to her initial disinterest. "Matlock is a miracle for me," she expressed, recalling a previous disappointing film that made her question her career path.

Initially unimpressed by the legal drama, Bates was persuaded by a friend to read the entire script. "I thought, 'This is just another procedural.' But my friend asked, 'Did you finish it?' So, I read it, and it had a fantastic twist at the end," she explained. The show's profound themes ultimately resonated with her, leading her to accept the role of Madeline Matlock, a character who uses her keen instincts to solve cases at a prestigious law firm.

With Matlock already renewed for a third season, Bates expressed her appreciation for the opportunity, especially considering the current difficulties many in the entertainment sector are facing. "These are tough times. Many people in our industry are struggling to find work," she noted, emphasizing the joy of being involved in a meaningful project. "A significant part of our happiness comes from having a place to go each day and something wonderful to create," she added, underscoring the value of creative endeavors during uncertain times.