Though many are aware of Kathy Bates' battles with ovarian and breast cancer, there was a time when she had been told to keep quiet about her diagnoses. Following her ovarian cancer diagnosis in 2003, Bates' agent told her not to tell anyone as it would negatively impact her ability to get roles. Additionally, her gynecologist warned her of the stigma associated with a diagnosis in Hollywood and encouraged her not to come out with it.

Bates initially heeded the advice but all of that changed when she was able to see another famous figure taking their battle with cancer public. Bates recalls, "But then I saw Melissa Etheridge doing a concert and just wailing on her guitar with her bald head and I thought 'wow, I wanna be her!' So when the breast cancer diagnosis came, I knew I wanted to be honest about it."

For more on Bates' decision to be honest with the public, click here.