R.C. (Richard Charles) Bates began his career as an actor and poet in Denver, Colorado. In 1988 he moved from Denver to Hollywood to become “rich and famous”. As an actor he was in more than 400 productions. He performed on stage, television and in movies. In between productions, he wrote poetry and sold it on the streets of Los Angeles. R.C. Bates is often referred to as "the walking poet", a title earned in the Los Angeles Street Scene.

"…it’s not what I leave behind, but what I can’t leave behind that will tell my life story…"
-R.C. Bates