Florence Bates

Florence Bates (April 15, 1888 - January 31, 1954) was an American film and stage character actress known for her roles as grande dame characters. Born in San Antonio, Texas to Jewish immigrant parents, Bates graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in mathematics and worked as a school teacher. After marrying and raising a daughter, she pursued a law career and became one of the first female lawyers in her home state. Following the death of her parents, Bates left law to help run her father's antique business. She later became a bilingual radio commentator. Bates is best remembered for her supporting roles in movies and TV shows, showcasing her talent as a versatile character actress.