Kathy Bates is still relatively new to leading a major network juggernaut, but at IndieWire Honors, the “Matlock” star declared herself part of Hollywood’s “old guard.” Surrounded by friends and collaborators from the CBS legal drama, IndieWire’s Vanguard award winner began her acceptance speech on June 5 by reflecting on the definition of the accolade.
“I looked up the word ‘vanguard’ and it means ‘a group of people leading the way in new developments or ideas,’” said Bates. “If you use that in a sentence, it would be the experimental spirit of the modernist Vanguard. So you folks at IndieWire have provided me the perfect opportunity to thank the army of folks who continue to champion our incredible show.”
The acting legend began her litany of thanks for CBS with executives George Cheeks, Amy Reisenbach, and David Stapf. She also tipped her hat to Eric Kim, Yelena Chak, Phil Gonzales, Kristen Hall, Claudia Lyon, Brian Seabury, and Yani Chang at the network, quipping, “Thank you all for being such delightful people to work with and not weird at all.” Honoring her personal team, Bates thanked her agent Brian Mann at CAA and press agent Rachel Karten.
Explicitly and proudly showing off the show’s ratings success (“16 million!”), Bates also credited her co-stars. She spoke directly to three of her fellow actors, who were seated with “Matlock” creator Jennie Snyder Urman in front of the podium.
“Jason Ritter and David Del Rio, you bring joy to my heart every day,” said Bates. “As Jung put it, you are ‘the youthful regenerative males’ and essential for older women to keep their glow.”
She continued, “Skye P. Marshall, your eyes assure me that we will catch each other in our highwire act without fail. I never expected to find you, girl. How lucky we are to play delicious roles that we can sink our teeth, claws and souls into.” Marshall wrote the heartfelt dedication for Bates’ Vanguard award.
“Finally, Jennie Urman, your vision is why we are all here to celebrate Matlock tonight,” Bates said. “I am so glad you took that long walk to find your way into the soul of an old woman who is fighting her last battle as a sniper — which is kind of sexy! I identify with her and you. I adore you.”
Looking back on her career as a gladiator in the craft of acting, the “Misery” and “Matlock” star concluded, “First, last, and always, I am a soldier of the cinema. I will gladly bring up the rear, as the ready reserves, the old guard.”
The IndieWire Honors event took place at NeueHouse in Hollywood on Thursday, June 5. Other honorees for the evening included Ben Stiller, Colin Farrell, Owen Cooper, Julianne Nicholson, and more.
