image of Frances Bay
Birthday: Jan 23, 1919
Place of Birth: Dauphin, Manitoba, Canada

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.

Filmography
Movie Cast Year
Inspector Gadget Thelma 1999
Blue Velvet Aunt Barbara 1986
Ring Around the Rosie Nanna 2006
The Wedding Planner Dottie 2001
In the Mouth of Madness Mrs. Pickman 1995
Finder's Fee Mrs. Darmsetter 2001
Big Top Pee-wee Mrs. Haynes 1988
Amos Lydia 1985
Twins Mother Superior 1988
Happy Gilmore Grandma 1996
Nomads Bertril 1986
Stranger Than Fiction Mrs. Steiner 2000
Bare Knuckles Rosie Mcintyre 2010
Chilly Scenes of Winter Mrs. Delillo 1979
Foul Play Mrs. Russel 1978
The Paperboy Mrs. Rosemont 1994
The Grifters Arizona Motel Clerk 1990
The Pit and the Pendulum Esmeralda 1991
Second Sight: A Love Story Old Woman 1984
Double Exposure Old Woman 1982
Rossini's Ghost Rosalie 1996
Class Cruise Grandma 1989
The Neighbor Aunt Sylvia 1993
Amy Mrs. Lindey 1981
Sparkler Raspy 1997
Pickin' and Grinnin' Grandma Johnson 2010
Topper Mrs. Quincy 1979
Inside Monkey Zetterland Grandma 1992
Blue Velvet: The Lost Footage Aunt Barbara 2011
Callie & Son Mabel Simpson 1981
The Karate Kid Part III Mrs. Milo 1989
A Whale for the Killing 1981
Wild at Heart Madam 1990
The Eagle and The Bear 1985
The Attic Librarian 1980
Critters 3 Mrs. Menges 1991
Murder in Texas Myra Hill 1981
Arachnophobia Evelyn Metcalf 1990
Edmond Fortune Teller 2005
Oh, Baby Edna Winchester 2001
Little Red Riding Hood Granny 1983
Annie's Point Older Woman 2005
Repo Chick Granma De La Chasse 2009
Private School Birdie Fallmouth 1983
Single White Female Elderly Neighbor 1992
Twin Peaks: The Missing Pieces Mrs. Tremond (Chalfont) 2014
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me Mrs. Tremond (Chalfont) 1992
The Simple Life of Noah Dearborn Mrs. Lewis 1999
A Rose for Emily Miss Wyatt 1983
Forever Love Martha Craddock 1998
Buddy Buddy Female Patient 1981
Medium Rare Gertrude 1987
The Karate Kid Lady with Dog 1984
Never Too Late Elisabeth Kronner 1996
Goodbye Lover Old Woman 1999
Honky Tonk Freeway Mrs. Lewenowski 1981
Movers & Shakers Betty Gritz 1985
Krippendorf's Tribe Edith Proxmire 1998
The Movie Hero Wise Old Woman 2003
Grave Secrets: The Legacy of Hilltop Drive Iva Ruth McKinney 1992
Changing Habits Midge 1997
Wings Mrs. Timmins 1983
Series Cast Year
Presidio Med 2002
Family Ties Mrs. Florence Menlo 1982
Cheers Mrs. Brubaker 1982
Seinfeld Mabel Choate 1989
The Middle Aunt Ginny 2009
Remington Steele Mother Trust 1982
Amazing Stories Mrs Claus 1985
T. J. Hooker 1982
L.A. Law Marian McConnell 1986
Fame 1982
The 5 Mrs. Buchanans 1994
The Golden Girls Claire 1985
Simon & Simon 1981
Twin Peaks Mrs. Tremond 1990
Tales from the Crypt Witch 1989
Charmed Old Phoebe 1998
Da Vinci's Inquest 1998
The Commish 1991
Happy Days 1974
Clueless 1996
Quantum Leap Millie Reynolds 1989
Newhart 1982
Hart to Hart 1979
The X-Files Dorothy 1993
Cagney & Lacey 1982
Faerie Tale Theatre Granny 1982
Sidekicks 1986
Alien Nation 1989
ALF Louise Beaumont 1986
Hunter Emma Parsons 1984
The Hughleys 1998
True Colors Tante Sylvia 1990
E/R 1984
Dave's World Daisy 1993
Bob Patterson Laurie Evans 2001
The Oldest Rookie 1987
Hunter Mrs. Laskey 1984
My Wife and Kids 2001
Matlock Samantha Bergstrom 1986
ER Georgia 1994
St. Elsewhere Mrs. Renninger 1982
Hart to Hart Flower Vendor 1979
Suddenly Susan Mrs. Tidgely 1996
Hannah Montana Cathy 2006
Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction Mildred Grayson (segment "The Gift") 1997
Pacific Station Celia Linder 1991
Style & Substance Elizabeth Hadley 1998
Murder, She Wrote Sarah McCoy 1984
Happy Days Grandma Nussbaum 1974
Hill Street Blues Elizabeth Mies 1981
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