Bates used her time on stage to thank the L.A. firefighters for their bravery and dedicated her award to 'Matlock' producer Eric Christian Olsen, who lost his home in the Palisades fire

Kathy Bates had an unbelievable night at the 2025 Critics Choice Awards—literally! The actress, 76, took home the award for best actress in a drama series for her performance in Matlock at the awards show, held Friday, Feb. 7, at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, Calif. And her reaction was priceless.

People are loving the reaction Kathy Bates had when she won a Critics Choice Award for her part in Matlock. She was up for the Best Actress in a Drama Series gong and seemed to be quite surprised when it was announced she was meant to go up on stage and collect the award.

Kathy Bates has style for days! The Matlock star, 76, stepped out for the 2025 Critics Choice Awards on Feb. 7, five months after debuting her 100-lb. weight loss at the Emmy Awards last September. Bates — a nominee for best actress in a drama series — displayed her new look in a black moto-style jacket with a black shirt underneath and wide-leg chiffon pants at the awards show.

Bates added another trophy to her collection, winning Best Actress in a Drama Series for her work on the CBS legal drama.

Kathy Bates’ win for Best Actress in a Drama Series at Friday night’s Critics Choice Awards was also a win for broadcast TV, which is scarcely represented on the awards circuit these days, especially in drama categories.