Kathy Bates Turns 77 with CBS’ First-Ever Birthday Salute and Star-Studded Lovefest

Kathy Bates is ringing her 77th birthday with a special celebration!

CBS is set to honor the legendary star and her triumphant return to TV in Matlock with the first-ever “CBS Birthday Salute” on Saturday, June 28.

The multi-platform celebration — which can be seen on air as well as the CBS and Matlock social handles — will be “packed with joyful and heartwarming moments and surprises” and showcase “the magic of Kathy Bates and the joy she brings to viewers’ lives,” according to the network.

Her Matlock costar Jason Ritter said, “Happy Birthday, Kathy Bates.”

“I just want to say happy birthday to my friend, my pal, [the] greatest actress who ever lived, Kathy Bates,” her Bad Santa 2 costar Billy Bob Thornton shared. “Love you Kathy. Happy birthday, baby. Call me up. Don’t be a stranger.”

Her A Family Affair castmate Brooke Shields added, “Kathy Bates, love you, you know that. Happy birthday!”

Melissa McCarthy, who starred alongside Bates in Tammy, and husband Ben Falcone praised the actress as McCarthy recalled her first experience working with her.

“[The] first time I worked with Kathy, I cried every time…You thought it was weird but cried every take,” she joked. “I was like, ‘I’m working with Kathy Bates.’”

The hosts of CBS Mornings also got in on the fun. Gayle King told Bates, “I heard from reliable sources it’s your birthday. I just want to say, you make it look good. Cheering you on always and happy birthday.”

Vladimir Duthiers and Adriana Diaz looked back on some of their favorite of Bates’ iconic roles.

“Just wanted to wish a very, very happy birthday,” Duthiers, 55, said of the Academy Award winner. “I’ve been a fan of yours going all the way back to Misery. I especially love your portrayal of Jo in The Office. I watch every episode with you all the time because it’s one of my favorite seasons…I love Matlock. I mean you are amazing in that show. You’re an amazing human being, you’re an amazing actor.”

“Thank you so much for all that you do. I just want to wish you a wonderful birthday,” he concluded.

“Happy birthday, Kathy. From the Titanic deck to Matlock, you’re such a powerhouse,” Diaz added. “Love watching on the screen, loved meeting you in person, and thank you for all you do for all of us.”

Nate Burleson wanted to make sure that the actress was having a celebratory toast, teasing, “Happy Birthday. If you drink, take a shot for me. Or two. Or three. Enjoy your day.”

During the celebration, viewers can expect to see more celebrity messages, fan birthday tributes — including “one who, affirming, dresses up as Kathy Bates’ diabolical obsessive-fan character from Misery,” and a performance of an original “CBS Birthday Salute” song with “colorful tidbits about the legendary star” from The Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles and “celebratory promos,” CBS announced.

“Who better to celebrate than Kathy Bates for our inaugural ‘CBS Birthday Salute’?! She’s truly a national treasure,” Mike Benson, CBS President and Chief Marketing Officer said in a statement. “We’re so proud to have her and Matlock on CBS, and we’ve had a lot of fun planning all the elements honoring her throughout the day and evening this Saturday, her actual birthday.”

“And expect more birthday salutes to come,” he teased. “We’re thinking of them as a reminder to celebrate the people who bring light into our lives, on screen and off… Life’s simple celebrations matter.”

In addition to the celebration, the network will donate $10,000 to charitable organizations in honor of Bates.

Fans can also receive $10 of the birthday candle at Candier on June 28 while Paper Source created “a custom reel honoring Bates in the form of envelope art inspired by her iconic role in Matlock,” according to the network.