Frances Bay
Acting
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
Acting114
movieTwin Peaks: The Missing Pieces
2014
Mrs. Tremond (Chalfont)
movieBlue Velvet: The Lost Footage
2011
Aunt Barbara
Pickin' and Grinnin'
2010
Grandma Johnson
movieBare Knuckles
2010
Rosie Mcintyre
tvThe Middle
2009
Aunt Ginny
movieRepo Chick
2009
Granma De La Chasse
movieEdmond
2006
Fortune Teller
tvHannah Montana
2006
Cathy
movieAnnie's Point
2005
Older Woman
movieIn the Land of Milk and Money
2004
Grandma Shallot
movieThe Movie Hero
2003
Wise Old Woman
tvPresidio Med
2002
Joan Hart
tvBob Patterson
2001
Laurie Evans
Oh, Baby
2001
Edna Winchester
movieFinder's Fee
2001
Mrs. Darmsetter
movieStranger Than Fiction
2000
Mrs. Steiner
movieThe Operator
2000
Mrs. Sloan
movieGoodbye Lover
1999
Old Woman
tvCharmed
1998
Old Phoebe
movieForever Love
1998
Martha Craddock
tvThe Hughleys
1998
Mrs. Fitch
movieKrippendorf's Tribe
1998
Edith Proxmire
tvStyle & Substance
1998
Elizabeth Hadley
movieSparkler
1997
Raspy
tvBeyond Belief: Fact or Fiction
1997
Mildred Grayson (segment "The Gift")
tvSuddenly Susan
1996
Mrs. Tidgely
movieNever Too Late
1996
Elisabeth Kronner
movieHappy Gilmore
1996
Grandma
movieRossini's Ghost
1996
Rosalie
movieIn the Mouth of Madness
1995
Mrs. Pickman
movieThe Paperboy
1994
Mrs. Rosemont
tvER
1994
Georgia
movieThe Neighbor
1993
Aunt Sylvia
tvDave's World
1993
Daisy
tvThe X-Files
1993
Dorothy
movieSingle White Female
1992
Elderly Neighbor
movieTwin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me
1992
Mrs. Tremond (Chalfont)
movieGrave Secrets: The Legacy of Hilltop Drive
1992
Iva Ruth McKinney
movieCritters 3
1991
Mrs. Menges
tvPacific Station
1991
Celia Linder
movieThe Pit and the Pendulum
1991
Esmeralda
tvTrue Colors
1990
Tante Sylvia
movieThe Grifters
1990
Arizona Motel Clerk
movieArachnophobia
1990
Evelyn Metcalf
tvTwin Peaks
1990
Mrs. Tremond
movieClass Cruise
1989
Grandma
tvAlien Nation
1989
Mrs. Gillirue
tvSeinfeld
1989
Mabel Choate
movieThe Karate Kid Part III
1989
Mrs. Milo
tvQuantum Leap
1989
Millie Reynolds
tvFather Dowling Mysteries
1989
Victoria's Grandmother
movieTwins
1988
Mother Superior
movieBig Top Pee-wee
1988
Mrs. Haynes
movieMedium Rare
1987
Gertrude
tvALF
1986
Louise Beaumont
movieBlue Velvet
1986
Aunt Barbara
tvL.A. Law
1986
Marian McConnell
movieNomads
1986
Bertril
tvMatlock
1986
Samantha Bergstrom / Rose Hayes
movieAmos
1985
Lydia
tvAmazing Stories
1985
Mrs Claus
tvThe Golden Girls
1985
Claire
movieMovers & Shakers
1985
Betty Gritz
tvMurder, She Wrote
1984
Sarah McCoy
tvHunter
1984
Emma Parsons / Mrs. Laskey
movieThe Karate Kid
1984
Lady with Dog
movieSecond Sight: A Love Story
1984
Old Woman
movieA Rose for Emily
1983
Miss Wyatt
moviePrivate School
1983
Birdie Fallmouth
movieWings
1983
Mrs. Timmins
tvSt. Elsewhere
1982
Mrs. Renninger
tvRemington Steele
1982
Mother Trust
tvCheers
1982
Mrs. Brubaker
tvFamily Ties
1982
Mrs. Florence Menlo
movieDouble Exposure
1982
Old Woman
tvCagney & Lacey
1982
Edna Kiss
tvT. J. Hooker
1982
Mrs. Greene
tvAmerican Playhouse
1982
Mrs. Timmins
movieHonky Tonk Freeway
1981
Mrs. Lewenowski
movieBuddy Buddy
1981
Female Patient
movieAmy
1981
Mrs. Lindey
tvHill Street Blues
1981
Elizabeth Mies
movieCallie & Son
1981
Mabel Simpson
movieThe Attic
1980
Librarian
movieTopper
1979
Mrs. Quincy
movieChilly Scenes of Winter
1979
Mrs. Delillo
tvHart to Hart
1979
Flower Vendor
movieFoul Play
1978
Mrs. Russel
tvHappy Days
1974
Grandma Nussbaum