Darlene Cates' acting career burst forth in flames after her captivating appearance on the television program Sally Jessy Raphael in 1983, specifically on the episode titled "Too Heavy to Leave Their House". This pivotal moment in her career paved the way for a forthcoming proposal from renowned author and screenwriter Peter Hedges, who envisioned Cates playing the role of Johnny Depp and Leonardo DiCaprio's morbidly obese and housebound mother in the critically acclaimed film What's Eating Gilbert Grape, released in 1993. Cates accepted the offer, and her performance received widespread critical acclaim, with renowned film critic Roger Ebert praising her extraordinary on-screen presence, noting that despite her physical appearance, Cates conveyed a multifaceted character, showcasing her life's struggles, disappointments, and ultimately, her resilience and determination to start anew.
Following her impressive debut, Cates continued to appear in a select few film and television projects before her passing, at the age of 69, due to natural causes. In the aftermath of her passing, The Guardian issued a statement paying tribute to the talented actress, and none other than Leonardo DiCaprio, her co-star in What's Eating Gilbert Grape, eloquently eulogized Cates, affectionately referring to her as "the best acting mom I ever had".
