In a candid moment at the 2025 Golden Globe Awards, veteran actress Kathy Bates was caught on camera tearing up what appeared to be her acceptance speech after losing in the Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Series — Drama category.
Bates, nominated for her role in the CBS drama "Matlock," graciously applauded as Shōgun's Anna Sawai was announced as the winner. However, as cameras continued rolling, they captured Bates playfully ripping up a piece of paper while staring directly into the lens.
The moment quickly went viral on social media, though any disappointment was softened when Sawai paid tribute to Bates during her acceptance speech. "I have so much people to thank but I'm gonna keep it short, thank you to the voters for voting for me even though I would vote for Kathy Bates any day," Sawai remarked, drawing laughs from the audience.
The nomination marked Bates' ninth Golden Globe nod in her illustrious career, coming 27 years after her win for "The Late Shift." The 76-year-old actress currently stars in CBS's "Matlock" reboot as Madeline "Matty" Matlock, a role she has described as her "last dance" before retirement.
Other nominees in the category included Emma D'Arcy ("House of the Dragon"), Maya Erskine ("Mr. & Mrs. Smith"), Keira Knightley ("Black Doves"), and Keri Russell ("The Diplomat").
Despite Bates' plans for eventual retirement, fans can expect to see more of her as Matty Matlock, with CBS recently ordering a second season of the series following strong ratings.