Frances Bay
Frances Evelyn Bay (née Goffman; January 23, 1919 – September 15, 2011) was a Canadian-American character actress known for playing a variety of quirky elderly women on film and television. In a career that spanned 35 years, she acted in a variety of roles both in film and television. After initial success in radio and stage plays, she became "The Girlfriend to the Canadian Forces" on CBC Radio during World War II, boosting troops' spirits. Marriage and a move to the U.S. led to a hiatus, during which she studied acting with Uta Hagen in New York. Returning to acting at 60, Bay featured in Foul Play and gained recognition in various TV shows like Twin Peaks, Blue Velvet, and films such as The Wedding Planner and Twins. Her versatile career spanned over 50 films and numerous TV series, earning her awards and nominations. Notably, she appeared in the final episodes of sitcoms Seinfeld, Who’s the Boss?, and Happy Days. Bay was inducted in Canada's Walk of Fame in 2008.
Known For
Credits
- 2014 · Twin Peaks: The Missing Pieces as Mrs. Tremond (Chalfont)
- 2011 · Blue Velvet: The Lost Footage as Aunt Barbara
- 2010 · Pickin' and Grinnin' as Grandma Johnson
- 2010 · Bare Knuckles as Rosie Mcintyre
- 2009 · The Middle as Aunt Ginny
- 2009 · Repo Chick as Granma De La Chasse
- 2006 · Hannah Montana as Cathy
- 2006 · Ring Around the Rosie as Nanna
- 2005 · Edmond as Fortune Teller
- 2005 · Annie's Point as Older Woman
- 2003 · The Movie Hero as Wise Old Woman
- 2002 · Presidio Med as
- 2001 · Bob Patterson as Laurie Evans
- 2001 · Oh, Baby as Edna Winchester
- 2001 · Finder's Fee as Mrs. Darmsetter
- 2001 · My Wife and Kids as
- 2001 · The Wedding Planner as Dottie
- 2000 · Stranger Than Fiction as Mrs. Steiner
- 1999 · Inspector Gadget as Thelma
- 1999 · The Simple Life of Noah Dearborn as Mrs. Lewis
- 1999 · Goodbye Lover as Old Woman
- 1998 · Charmed as Old Phoebe
- 1998 · Da Vinci's Inquest as
- 1998 · Forever Love as Martha Craddock
- 1998 · The Hughleys as
- 1998 · Krippendorf's Tribe as Edith Proxmire
- 1998 · Style & Substance as Elizabeth Hadley
- 1997 · Sparkler as Raspy
- 1997 · Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction as Mildred Grayson (segment "The Gift")
- 1997 · Changing Habits as Midge
- 1996 · Clueless as
- 1996 · Suddenly Susan as Mrs. Tidgely
- 1996 · Never Too Late as Elisabeth Kronner
- 1996 · Happy Gilmore as Grandma
- 1996 · Rossini's Ghost as Rosalie
- 1995 · In the Mouth of Madness as Mrs. Pickman
- 1994 · The Paperboy as Mrs. Rosemont
- 1994 · The 5 Mrs. Buchanans as
- 1994 · ER as Georgia
- 1993 · The Neighbor as Aunt Sylvia
- 1993 · Dave's World as Daisy
- 1993 · The X-Files as Dorothy
- 1992 · Inside Monkey Zetterland as Grandma
- 1992 · Single White Female as Elderly Neighbor
- 1992 · Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me as Mrs. Tremond (Chalfont)
- 1992 · Grave Secrets: The Legacy of Hilltop Drive as Iva Ruth McKinney
- 1991 · Critters 3 as Mrs. Menges
- 1991 · The Commish as
- 1991 · Pacific Station as Celia Linder
- 1991 · The Pit and the Pendulum as Esmeralda
- 1990 · True Colors as Tante Sylvia
- 1990 · Wild at Heart as Madam
- 1990 · The Grifters as Arizona Motel Clerk
- 1990 · Arachnophobia as Evelyn Metcalf
- 1990 · Twin Peaks as Mrs. Tremond
- 1989 · Class Cruise as Grandma
- 1989 · Alien Nation as
- 1989 · Seinfeld as Mabel Choate
- 1989 · The Karate Kid Part III as Mrs. Milo
- 1989 · Tales from the Crypt as Witch
- 1989 · Quantum Leap as Millie Reynolds
- 1988 · Twins as Mother Superior
- 1988 · Big Top Pee-wee as Mrs. Haynes
- 1987 · The Oldest Rookie as
- 1987 · Medium Rare as Gertrude
- 1986 · ALF as Louise Beaumont
- 1986 · Blue Velvet as Aunt Barbara
- 1986 · L.A. Law as Marian McConnell
- 1986 · Nomads as Bertril
- 1986 · Matlock as Samantha Bergstrom
- 1986 · Sidekicks as
- 1985 · Amazing Stories as Mrs Claus
- 1985 · Amos as Lydia
- 1985 · The Golden Girls as Claire
- 1985 · Movers & Shakers as Betty Gritz
- 1985 · The Eagle and The Bear as
- 1984 · Murder, She Wrote as Sarah McCoy
- 1984 · Hunter as Emma Parsons
- 1984 · Hunter as Mrs. Laskey
- 1984 · E/R as
- 1984 · The Karate Kid as Lady with Dog
- 1984 · Second Sight: A Love Story as Old Woman
- 1983 · Little Red Riding Hood as Granny
- 1983 · A Rose for Emily as Miss Wyatt
- 1983 · Private School as Birdie Fallmouth
- 1983 · Wings as Mrs. Timmins
- 1982 · St. Elsewhere as Mrs. Renninger
- 1982 · Newhart as
- 1982 · Remington Steele as Mother Trust
- 1982 · Cheers as Mrs. Brubaker
- 1982 · Family Ties as Mrs. Florence Menlo
- 1982 · Faerie Tale Theatre as Granny
- 1982 · Double Exposure as Old Woman
- 1982 · Cagney & Lacey as
- 1982 · T. J. Hooker as
- 1982 · Fame as
- 1981 · Simon & Simon as
- 1981 · Callie & Son as Mabel Simpson
- 1981 · Honky Tonk Freeway as Mrs. Lewenowski
- 1981 · Murder in Texas as Myra Hill
- 1981 · Buddy Buddy as Female Patient
- 1981 · Amy as Mrs. Lindey
- 1981 · A Whale for the Killing as
- 1981 · Hill Street Blues as
- 1980 · The Attic as Librarian
- 1979 · Topper as Mrs. Quincy
- 1979 · Chilly Scenes of Winter as Mrs. Delillo
- 1979 · Hart to Hart as
- 1979 · Hart to Hart as Flower Vendor
- 1978 · Foul Play as Mrs. Russel
- 1974 · Happy Days as
- 1974 · Happy Days as Grandma Nussbaum