Frances Bay
Biography
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
All Movies (64)
- Twin Peaks: The Missing Pieces2014 · as Mrs. Tremond (Chalfont)
- Blue Velvet: The Lost Footage2011 · as Aunt Barbara
- Pickin' and Grinnin'2010 · as Grandma Johnson
- Bare Knuckles2010 · as Rosie Mcintyre
- Repo Chick2009 · as Granma De La Chasse
- Edmond2006 · as Fortune Teller
- Ring Around the Rosie2006 · as Nanna
- Annie's Point2005 · as Older Woman
- In the Land of Milk and Money2004 · as Grandma Shallot
- The Movie Hero2003 · as Wise Old Woman
- Kiss The Bride2002
- Oh, Baby2001 · as Edna Winchester
- Finder's Fee2001 · as Mrs. Darmsetter
- The Wedding Planner2001 · as Dottie
- Stranger Than Fiction2000 · as Mrs. Steiner
- The Operator2000 · as Mrs. Sloan
- Inspector Gadget1999 · as Thelma
- The Simple Life of Noah Dearborn1999 · as Mrs. Lewis
- Goodbye Lover1999 · as Old Woman
- Forever Love1998 · as Martha Craddock
- Krippendorf's Tribe1998 · as Edith Proxmire
- Sparkler1997 · as Raspy
- Changing Habits1997 · as Midge
- Never Too Late1996 · as Elisabeth Kronner
- Happy Gilmore1996 · as Grandma
- Rossini's Ghost1996 · as Rosalie
- In the Mouth of Madness1995 · as Mrs. Pickman
- The Paperboy1994 · as Mrs. Rosemont
- The Neighbor1993 · as Aunt Sylvia
- Inside Monkey Zetterland1992 · as Grandma
- Single White Female1992 · as Elderly Neighbor
- Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me1992 · as Mrs. Tremond (Chalfont)
- Grave Secrets: The Legacy of Hilltop Drive1992 · as Iva Ruth McKinney
- Critters 31991 · as Mrs. Menges
- The Pit and the Pendulum1991 · as Esmeralda
- Wild at Heart1990 · as Madam
- The Grifters1990 · as Arizona Motel Clerk
- Arachnophobia1990 · as Evelyn Metcalf
- Class Cruise1989 · as Grandma
- The Karate Kid Part III1989 · as Mrs. Milo
- Twins1988 · as Mother Superior
- Big Top Pee-wee1988 · as Mrs. Haynes
- Medium Rare1987 · as Gertrude
- Blue Velvet1986 · as Aunt Barbara
- Nomads1986 · as Bertril
- Amos1985 · as Lydia
- Movers & Shakers1985 · as Betty Gritz
- The Eagle and The Bear1985
- The Karate Kid1984 · as Lady with Dog
- Second Sight: A Love Story1984 · as Old Woman
- Little Red Riding Hood1983 · as Granny
- A Rose for Emily1983 · as Miss Wyatt
- Private School1983 · as Birdie Fallmouth
- Wings1983 · as Mrs. Timmins
- Double Exposure1982 · as Old Woman
- Honky Tonk Freeway1981 · as Mrs. Lewenowski
- Buddy Buddy1981 · as Female Patient
- Amy1981 · as Mrs. Lindey
- A Whale for the Killing1981
- Callie & Son1981 · as Mabel Simpson
- The Attic1980 · as Librarian
- Topper1979 · as Mrs. Quincy
- Chilly Scenes of Winter1979 · as Mrs. Delillo
- Foul Play1978 · as Mrs. Russel
All TV Shows (53)
- The Middle2009 · as Aunt Ginny
- Hannah Montana2006 · as Cathy
- Presidio Med2002 · as Joan Hart
- Bob Patterson2001 · as Laurie Evans
- My Wife and Kids2001
- Charmed1998 · as Old Phoebe
- Da Vinci's Inquest1998
- The Hughleys1998 · as Mrs. Fitch
- Style & Substance1998 · as Elizabeth Hadley
- Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction1997 · as Mildred Grayson (segment "The Gift")
- Clueless1996
- Suddenly Susan1996 · as Mrs. Tidgely
- The 5 Mrs. Buchanans1994
- ER1994 · as Georgia
- Dave's World1993 · as Daisy
- The X-Files1993 · as Dorothy
- The Commish1991
- Pacific Station1991 · as Celia Linder
- True Colors1990 · as Tante Sylvia
- Twin Peaks1990 · as Mrs. Tremond
- Alien Nation1989 · as Mrs. Gillirue
- Seinfeld1989 · as Mabel Choate
- Tales from the Crypt1989 · as Witch
- Quantum Leap1989 · as Millie Reynolds
- Father Dowling Mysteries1989 · as Victoria's Grandmother
- Police Story1988 · as Mary
- The Oldest Rookie1987
- Sidekicks1986
- ALF1986 · as Louise Beaumont
- L.A. Law1986 · as Marian McConnell
- Matlock1986 · as Samantha Bergstrom
- Matlock1986 · as Rose Hayes
- Amazing Stories1985 · as Mrs Claus
- The Golden Girls1985 · as Claire
- Murder, She Wrote1984 · as Sarah McCoy
- Hunter1984 · as Emma Parsons
- Hunter1984 · as Mrs. Laskey
- E/R1984
- St. Elsewhere1982 · as Mrs. Renninger
- Newhart1982
- Remington Steele1982 · as Mother Trust
- Cheers1982 · as Mrs. Brubaker
- Family Ties1982 · as Mrs. Florence Menlo
- Faerie Tale Theatre1982 · as Granny
- Cagney & Lacey1982 · as Edna Kiss
- T. J. Hooker1982 · as Mrs. Greene
- Fame1982
- Simon & Simon1981
- Hill Street Blues1981 · as Elizabeth Mies
- Hart to Hart1979
- Hart to Hart1979 · as Flower Vendor
- Happy Days1974
- Happy Days1974 · as Grandma Nussbaum







