Frances Bay

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.

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Known For

Filmography

2014

Twin Peaks: The Missing Pieces
Twin Peaks: The Missing Pieces
as Mrs. Tremond (Chalfont)
Movie - Released: 7/16/2014

2011

Blue Velvet: The Lost Footage
Blue Velvet: The Lost Footage
as Aunt Barbara
Movie - Released: 11/8/2011

2010

Bare Knuckles
Bare Knuckles
as Rosie Mcintyre
Movie - Released: 1/1/2010
Movie
Pickin' and Grinnin'
as Grandma Johnson
Movie - Released: 4/17/2010

2009

Repo Chick
Repo Chick
as Granma De La Chasse
Movie - Released: 9/9/2009
The Middle
The Middle
as Aunt Ginny
TV - Released: 9/30/2009

2006

Ring Around the Rosie
Ring Around the Rosie
as Nanna
Movie - Released: 3/21/2006
Hannah Montana
Hannah Montana
as Cathy
TV - Released: 3/24/2006

2005

Edmond
Edmond
as Fortune Teller
Movie - Released: 8/31/2005
Annie's Point
Annie's Point
as Older Woman
Movie - Released: 1/22/2005

2003

The Movie Hero
The Movie Hero
as Wise Old Woman
Movie - Released: 3/8/2003

2002

Kiss The Bride
Kiss The Bride
Movie - Released: 10/16/2002
Presidio Med
Presidio Med
TV - Released: 9/24/2002

2001

The Wedding Planner
The Wedding Planner
as Dottie
Movie - Released: 1/26/2001
Finder's Fee
Finder's Fee
as Mrs. Darmsetter
Movie - Released: 6/19/2001
Movie
Oh, Baby
as Edna Winchester
Movie - Released: 9/3/2001
Bob Patterson
Bob Patterson
as Laurie Evans
TV - Released: 10/2/2001
My Wife and Kids
My Wife and Kids
TV - Released: 3/28/2001

2000

Stranger Than Fiction
Stranger Than Fiction
as Mrs. Steiner
Movie - Released: 3/16/2000
The Operator
The Operator
as Mrs. Sloan
Movie - Released: 3/4/2000

1999

Inspector Gadget
Inspector Gadget
as Thelma
Movie - Released: 7/23/1999
The Simple Life of Noah Dearborn
The Simple Life of Noah Dearborn
as Mrs. Lewis
Movie - Released: 5/9/1999
Goodbye Lover
Goodbye Lover
as Old Woman
Movie - Released: 4/16/1999

1998

Forever Love
Forever Love
as Martha Craddock
Movie - Released: 9/27/1998
Krippendorf's Tribe
Krippendorf's Tribe
as Edith Proxmire
Movie - Released: 2/27/1998
Charmed
Charmed
as Old Phoebe
TV - Released: 10/7/1998
Da Vinci's Inquest
Da Vinci's Inquest
TV - Released: 10/7/1998
The Hughleys
The Hughleys
TV - Released: 9/22/1998
Style & Substance
Style & Substance
as Elizabeth Hadley
TV - Released: 1/5/1998

1997

Sparkler
Sparkler
as Raspy
Movie - Released: 10/1/1997
Changing Habits
Changing Habits
as Midge
Movie - Released: 5/20/1997
Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction
Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction
as Mildred Grayson (segment "The Gift")
TV - Released: 5/25/1997

1996

Happy Gilmore
Happy Gilmore
as Grandma
Movie - Released: 2/16/1996
Rossini's Ghost
Rossini's Ghost
as Rosalie
Movie - Released: 1/1/1996
Never Too Late
Never Too Late
as Elisabeth Kronner
Movie - Released: 8/26/1996
Clueless
Clueless
TV - Released: 9/20/1996
Suddenly Susan
Suddenly Susan
as Mrs. Tidgely
TV - Released: 9/19/1996

1995

In the Mouth of Madness
In the Mouth of Madness
as Mrs. Pickman
Movie - Released: 2/3/1995

1994

The Paperboy
The Paperboy
as Mrs. Rosemont
Movie - Released: 11/16/1994
The 5 Mrs. Buchanans
The 5 Mrs. Buchanans
TV - Released: 9/24/1994
ER
ER
as Georgia
TV - Released: 9/19/1994

1993

The Neighbor
The Neighbor
as Aunt Sylvia
Movie - Released: 11/3/1993
The X-Files
The X-Files
as Dorothy
TV - Released: 9/10/1993
Dave's World
Dave's World
as Daisy
TV - Released: 9/20/1993

1992

Inside Monkey Zetterland
Inside Monkey Zetterland
as Grandma
Movie - Released: 9/12/1992
Single White Female
Single White Female
as Elderly Neighbor
Movie - Released: 8/14/1992
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me
as Mrs. Tremond (Chalfont)
Movie - Released: 6/3/1992
Grave Secrets: The Legacy of Hilltop Drive
Grave Secrets: The Legacy of Hilltop Drive
as Iva Ruth McKinney
Movie - Released: 3/3/1992

1991

The Pit and the Pendulum
The Pit and the Pendulum
as Esmeralda
Movie - Released: 6/27/1991
Critters 3
Critters 3
as Mrs. Menges
Movie - Released: 12/11/1991
The Commish
The Commish
TV - Released: 9/28/1991
Pacific Station
Pacific Station
as Celia Linder
TV - Released: 9/15/1991

1990

The Grifters
The Grifters
as Arizona Motel Clerk
Movie - Released: 8/8/1990
Wild at Heart
Wild at Heart
as Madam
Movie - Released: 8/17/1990
Arachnophobia
Arachnophobia
as Evelyn Metcalf
Movie - Released: 7/20/1990
Twin Peaks
Twin Peaks
as Mrs. Tremond
TV - Released: 4/8/1990
True Colors
True Colors
as Tante Sylvia
TV - Released: 9/2/1990

1989

Class Cruise
Class Cruise
as Grandma
Movie - Released: 10/22/1989
The Karate Kid Part III
The Karate Kid Part III
as Mrs. Milo
Movie - Released: 6/16/1989
Seinfeld
Seinfeld
as Mabel Choate
TV - Released: 7/5/1989
Tales from the Crypt
Tales from the Crypt
as Witch
TV - Released: 6/10/1989
Quantum Leap
Quantum Leap
as Millie Reynolds
TV - Released: 3/26/1989
Alien Nation
Alien Nation
TV - Released: 9/18/1989
Father Dowling Mysteries
Father Dowling Mysteries
as Victoria's Grandmother
TV - Released: 1/20/1989

1988

Big Top Pee-wee
Big Top Pee-wee
as Mrs. Haynes
Movie - Released: 7/22/1988
Twins
Twins
as Mother Superior
Movie - Released: 12/9/1988

1987

Medium Rare
Medium Rare
as Gertrude
Movie - Released: 3/4/1987
The Oldest Rookie
The Oldest Rookie
TV - Released: 9/16/1987

1986

Blue Velvet
Blue Velvet
as Aunt Barbara
Movie - Released: 9/19/1986
Nomads
Nomads
as Bertril
Movie - Released: 3/7/1986
L.A. Law
L.A. Law
as Marian McConnell
TV - Released: 9/15/1986
Sidekicks
Sidekicks
TV - Released: 9/26/1986
ALF
ALF
as Louise Beaumont
TV - Released: 9/22/1986
Matlock
Matlock
as Samantha Bergstrom
TV - Released: 3/3/1986

1985

Amos
Amos
as Lydia
Movie - Released: 9/29/1985
Movie
The Eagle and The Bear
Movie - Released: 3/3/1985
Movers & Shakers
Movers & Shakers
as Betty Gritz
Movie - Released: 5/3/1985
Amazing Stories
Amazing Stories
as Mrs Claus
TV - Released: 9/29/1985
The Golden Girls
The Golden Girls
as Claire
TV - Released: 9/14/1985

1984

Second Sight: A Love Story
Second Sight: A Love Story
as Old Woman
Movie - Released: 3/13/1984
The Karate Kid
The Karate Kid
as Lady with Dog
Movie - Released: 6/22/1984
Hunter
Hunter
as Emma Parsons
TV - Released: 9/18/1984
E/R
E/R
TV - Released: 9/16/1984
Hunter
Hunter
as Mrs. Laskey
TV - Released: 9/18/1984
Murder, She Wrote
Murder, She Wrote
as Sarah McCoy
TV - Released: 9/30/1984

1983

Little Red Riding Hood
Little Red Riding Hood
as Granny
Movie - Released: 11/10/1983
Private School
Private School
as Birdie Fallmouth
Movie - Released: 6/29/1983
A Rose for Emily
A Rose for Emily
as Miss Wyatt
Movie - Released: 10/1/1983
Wings
Wings
as Mrs. Timmins
Movie - Released: 4/26/1983

1982

Double Exposure
Double Exposure
as Old Woman
Movie - Released: 9/3/1982
Family Ties
Family Ties
as Mrs. Florence Menlo
TV - Released: 9/22/1982
Cheers
Cheers
as Mrs. Brubaker
TV - Released: 9/30/1982
Remington Steele
Remington Steele
as Mother Trust
TV - Released: 10/1/1982
T. J. Hooker
T. J. Hooker
as Mrs. Greene
TV - Released: 3/13/1982
Fame
Fame
TV - Released: 1/7/1982
Newhart
Newhart
TV - Released: 10/2/1982
Cagney & Lacey
Cagney & Lacey
TV - Released: 3/25/1982
Faerie Tale Theatre
Faerie Tale Theatre
as Granny
TV - Released: 9/11/1982
St. Elsewhere
St. Elsewhere
as Mrs. Renninger
TV - Released: 10/26/1982

1981

Amy
Amy
as Mrs. Lindey
Movie - Released: 3/20/1981
Callie & Son
Callie & Son
as Mabel Simpson
Movie - Released: 10/13/1981
A Whale for the Killing
A Whale for the Killing
Movie - Released: 2/1/1981
Buddy Buddy
Buddy Buddy
as Female Patient
Movie - Released: 4/2/1981
Honky Tonk Freeway
Honky Tonk Freeway
as Mrs. Lewenowski
Movie - Released: 8/21/1981
Simon & Simon
Simon & Simon
TV - Released: 11/24/1981
Hill Street Blues
Hill Street Blues
as Elizabeth Mies
TV - Released: 1/15/1981

1980

The Attic
The Attic
as Librarian
Movie - Released: 11/10/1980

1979

Chilly Scenes of Winter
Chilly Scenes of Winter
as Mrs. Delillo
Movie - Released: 10/19/1979
Topper
Topper
as Mrs. Quincy
Movie - Released: 11/9/1979
Hart to Hart
Hart to Hart
TV - Released: 9/22/1979
Hart to Hart
Hart to Hart
as Flower Vendor
TV - Released: 9/22/1979

1978

Foul Play
Foul Play
as Mrs. Russel
Movie - Released: 7/14/1978

1974

Happy Days
Happy Days
TV - Released: 1/15/1974
Happy Days
Happy Days
as Grandma Nussbaum
TV - Released: 1/15/1974