Darlene Cates
Actress

Darlene Cates Net Worth

Darlene Cates was born in Borger, Texas in 1947 and grew up in Dumas. Her parents divorced when she was 12, which lead to her overeating and becoming morbidly obese. She underwent gastroplasty in 1981, but eventually gained the weight back and more. She was discovered by Peter Hedges while appearing on an episode of Sally Jessy Raphael, and went on to play the role of the morbidly obese mother in the 1993 film What's Eating Gilbert Grape. She has since made appearances on Picket Fences and Touched by an Angel, and played the supporting role of Athena the Fat Lady in the made-for-television film Wolf Girl.
Darlene Cates is a member of Actress

Age, Biography and Wiki

Who is it? Actress
Birth Day December 13, 1947
Birth Place  Borger, Texas, United States
Age 73 YEARS OLD
Died On March 26, 2017(2017-03-26) (aged 69)\nForney, Texas, U.S.
Birth Sign Capricorn
Occupation Actress
Years active 1993–2017
Spouse(s) Robert Cates (m. 1963)

💰 Net worth: $1 Million (2024)

Darlene Cates, widely recognized for her acting prowess in the United States, has accumulated an estimated net worth of $1 million as of 2024. Her notable performances and contributions to the entertainment industry have not only earned her critical acclaim but also financial success. Cates' talent and dedication throughout her career have allowed her to amass a considerable fortune, cementing her status as a respected actress in the United States.

Biography/Timeline

1963

Darlene married Robert Cates, a U.S. Marine, on January 11, 1963. She had one daughter, Sheri Ann (b. 1966), and two sons, Mark (b. 1967) and Chris (b. 1971). She had four grandchildren and lived in the Dallas suburbs. In 1992, she received her high school diploma via correspondence courses. In 2012, Cates had lost 240 pounds after a series of 2010 health issues kept her hospitalized for nearly a year, and she expressed a Desire to resume her acting career.

1981

Cates was born in Borger, Texas to Truman Madison and Dorothy Ann Guthrie, and grew up in Dumas. Her parents divorced when she was 12 years old. She took solace in food, and her overeating led to obesity. She underwent gastroplasty in 1981, when she weighed 408 lb (29 st 2 lb or 185 kg). She lost 99 lb (7 st 1 lb or 45 kg) but eventually gained the weight back and more, topping out at 548 lb (39 st 2 lb or 249 kg).

1992

Author and Screenwriter Peter Hedges saw a tape of Cates on a 1992 episode of Sally entitled "Too Heavy to Leave Their House". On the show, she discussed her battle with obesity and how it had affected her life. In 1986, pelvic infections caused by her excess weight kept her bedridden for two years, during which she gained an additional 149 pounds. Hedges offered her the role of a morbidly obese mother in the 1993 film What's Eating Gilbert Grape, which she accepted. Television roles followed on the shows Picket Fences in 1994 and Touched by an Angel in 1996. She had a small role in the 2001 film Wolf Girl. Producer J. Miles Dale flew a small crew and the film's stars from Romania to Texas to shoot their scenes with Cates.

2017

Darlene died in her sleep at age 69 on March 26, 2017. Her daughter, Sheri Cates Morgan, announced her passing on a Facebook post.

Some Darlene Cates images

About the author

Lisa Scholfield

As a Senior Writer at Famous Net Worth, I spearhead an exceptional team dedicated to uncovering and sharing the stories of pioneering individuals. My passion for unearthing untold narratives drives me to delve deep into the essence of each subject, bringing forth a unique blend of factual accuracy and narrative allure. In orchestrating the editorial workflow, I am deeply involved in every step—from initial research to the final touches of publishing, ensuring each biography not only informs but also engages and inspires our readership.