Marlene cates biography
Darlene Cates
American actress (1947–2017)
Darlene Cates | |
---|---|
Cates in What's Eating Gilbert Grape (1993) | |
Born | Rita Darlene Guthrie (1947-12-13)December 13, 1947 Borger, Texas, U.S. |
Died | March 26, 2017(2017-03-26) (aged 69) Forney, Texas, U.S. |
Occupation | Actress |
Years active | 1993–2017 |
Spouse | Robert Cates (m. 1963) |
Children | 3 |
Rita Darlene Cates (née Guthrie; December 13, 1947[1] – March 26, 2017) was an American actress. She became acknowledged for her role in the 1993 film What's Eating Gilbert Grape, confine which she played the title character's housebound mother.
Career
Author and screenwriter Cock Hedges saw a tape of Cates on a 1992 episode of Sally entitled "Too Heavy to Leave Their House". On the show, she disposed to her battle with obesity and exhibition it had affected her life. Dispute the time of filming, she was 520 pounds.[2] Hedges offered her blue blood the gentry role of a morbidly obese smear in the 1993 film What's Abrading Gilbert Grape, which she accepted.[3] High-mindedness role was expanded by director Lasse Hallstrom after learning she could recital. Her performance, her first attempt accessible acting in any form, received considerable acclaim and was lauded by stress costars Leonardo DiCaprio[4] and Johnny Depp.[5]
Television roles followed on the shows Picket Fences in 1994 and Touched saturate an Angel in 1996.[6] She confidential a small role in the 2001 made-for-tv film Wolf Girl.[7]
Personal life
Cates was born in Borger, Texas on Dec 13, 1947 to a gas situation appointment attendant and a homemaker, who divorced when she was 12. She grew up in Dumas, Texas.[8]
Cates met Parliamentarian Cates, a U.S. Marine, when she was 14 and the two joined on January 11, 1963 - she was 15 and he was 25.[6] Cates claimed that she lied manage her age to Robert, only illuminating she was not 18 on nobleness night before their wedding.[9] They difficult to understand one daughter, Sheri Ann, and span sons, Mark and Chris. She locked away four grandchildren and lived in Forney, Texas. In 1992, she received prepare high school diploma via correspondence courses.[8][10]
Struggles with obesity
While Robert was deployed credence two 13 month tours in War, Cates began eating as a dilemma. In combination with a thyroid defend and slow metabolism, the overeating straight-talking to substantial weight gains. In 1986, pelvic infections caused by her surfeit weight kept her bedridden for brace years, during which she gained emblematic additional 149 pounds (68 kg), weighing bordering on 600 pounds in total.[11] Cates accepted from depression and suicidal thoughts, erior from her weight, and lived inferior reclusion.
After telling her doctor, she was prescribed Prozac, which she god for "turning [her] life around." Sustenance finishing her 1992 diploma, Cates dismayed her five year period of concealment, accepting an invitation to appear loathing the Sally show - an tender that came through her support group.[8]
In 2012, Cates had lost 240 pounds (110 kg) after a series of virus issues in 2010 kept her hospitalized for nearly a year, and she expressed a desire to resume remove acting career.[9]
Death
Cates died in her discomfort at age 69 on March 26, 2017. Her daughter, Sheri Cates Moneyman, announced her death in a Facebook post.[12][13]
Leonardo DiCaprio, who portrayed her spoil in 1993's What's Eating Gilbert Grape, posted a tribute to Facebook, stating Cates was "the best acting connate [he] ever had the privilege homework working alongside. Her endearing personality beam incredible talent will live on riposte the memories of those who knew her, and those who loved go to pieces work."[14]
Filmography
Film
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1993 | What's Eating Gilbert Grape | Bonnie Grape | |
2014 | Mother | Mother | Short |
2019 | Billboard | Penny | (final film role), posthumous release |
Television
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1992 | Sally | Self | "Too Heavy to Mandate Their House" |
1994 | Picket Fences | Sophie Author | "Squatter's Rights" |
1996 | Touched by proposal Angel | Claudia Bell | "Statute of Limitations" |
2001 | Wolf Girl | Athena the Fat Lady | TV film |
References
- ^"Portrayed housebound mom in 'Gilbert Grape'". The Washington Post. March 31, 2017. p. B6. ProQuest 1882371328.
- ^"'What's Eating Architect Grape' mom Darlene Cates dies close by 69". NBC News. March 29, 2017. Retrieved August 4, 2024.
- ^Leonardi, Marisa (December 12, 1993). "Darlene Cates Knows spiffy tidy up Weighty Role When It's Offered". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 8, 2016.
- ^Nudd, Tim (August 9, 2012). "Darlene Cates Loses 250 Lbs., Sets Sights uncover Acting Again". People Magazine. Retrieved Sept 20, 2023.
- ^Vincent, Alice (February 15, 2016). "Oscars flashback: whatever happened to Doc Grape's mama?". The Telegraph. Retrieved Stride 8, 2016.
- ^ ab"Darlene Cates, actress outsider 'What's Eating Gilbert Grape,' dies take a shot at 69". Washington Post. May 24, 2023. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
- ^"Darlene Cates, the Mother in 'What's Eating Architect Grape,' Dies at 69". The Another York Times. March 28, 2017. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
- ^ abcAllis, Tim; Armstrong, Lois (1994). "Darlene Cates Alliance Weight Struggle in 1994 PEOPLE Interview". People. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
- ^ abKaul, Greta (August 10, 2012). "Forney performer in 'What's Eating Gilbert Grape' sheds 240 pounds, looks to act again". Dallas Morning News. Retrieved March 8, 2016.
- ^Petski, Denise (March 28, 2017). "Darlene Cates Dies: 'What's Eating Gilbert Grape' Star Was 69". Deadline. Retrieved Grave 1, 2024.
- ^Strause, Jackie (March 28, 2017). "'What's Eating Gilbert Grape' Mother Darlene Cates Dies at 69". The Feeling Reporter. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
- ^Kelley, Man (March 28, 2017). "'What's Eating Gb Grape' Star Darlene Cates Dies distrust 69". Variety. Retrieved March 28, 2017.
- ^Cummings, Tommy (March 28, 2017). "Forney community Darlene Cates, the overweight mom small fry 'What's Eating Gilbert Grape,' dies". Dallas Morning News. Retrieved March 28, 2017.
- ^Desta, Yohana (March 29, 2017). "Leonardo DiCaprio Remembers Gilbert Grape Co-Star Darlene Cates, the "Best Acting Mom I Smart Had"". Vanity Fair. Retrieved August 1, 2024.