| Norma Bates | |
|---|---|
| Psycho character | |
&sq=Envato&lang=en&file=File:Olivia_Hussey_as_Norma_Bates_from_Psycho_IV,_publicity_photo_edit.jpg) Olivia Hussey as Norma Bates from a publicity photo for Psycho IV: The Beginning. | |
| First appearance | Psycho (1959) |
| Created by | Robert Bloch |
| Portrayed by | Virginia Gregg, Jeanette Nolan, Paul Jasmin (Psycho (1960)) Virginia Gregg (Psycho II, Psycho III) Olivia Hussey, Alice Hirson (Psycho IV: The Beginning) John Kassir (Oatmeal Crisp commercial (1990)) Rose Marie (Psycho (1998)) Vera Farmiga (Bates Motel) |
| In-universe information | |
| Full name | Norma Spool Bates (Psycho film sequels) Norma Louise Calhoun Bates (Bates Motel) |
| Alias | Mrs. Bates Mother |
| Gender | Female |
| Occupation | Former owner of the Bates Motel |
| Family | Ray Calhoun (deceased father; Bates Motel only) Francine Calhoun (deceased mother; Bates Motel only) Emma Spool (deceased sister; film canon only) Caleb Calhoun (deceased brother; Bates Motel only) Kate Massett (granddaughter/grandniece; Bates Motel only) |
| Spouse | John/Sam Bates (deceased husband) John Massett (ex-husband; Bates Motel only) Alex Romero (deceased third husband; Bates Motel only) |
| Children | Norman Bates (son, deceased in Bates Motel) Dylan Massett (son/nephew; Bates Motel only) Robert Newman (son; Bloch's novels only) |
| Relatives | Dr. Constance "Connie" Forbes-Bates (daughter-in-law; film canon only) Emma Decody (daughter-in-law; Bates Motel only) |
Norma Bates (née Spool or Calhoun, also known simply as Mrs. Bates) is a fictional character created by American author Robert Bloch in his 1959 thriller novel Psycho. She is the deceased mother and victim of serial killer Norman Bates, who had recreated her in his mind as a murderous alternate personality.
Although an important character to the Psycho story, Norma is deceased from the beginning of the films. She is not depicted as a living character until the prequel Psycho IV: The Beginning (1990), where she is portrayed by Olivia Hussey. Vera Farmiga later portrayed Norma in the television series Bates Motel (2013–2017).