Frances Bay
Known for: 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.
Filmography
Series
The X-Files
Dorothy
1993
Series
Seinfeld
Mabel Choate
1989
Series
The Middle
Aunt Ginny
2009
Series
Charmed
Old Phoebe
1998
Series
Twin Peaks
Mrs. Tremond
1990
Series
Murder, She Wrote
Sarah McCoy
1984
Series
ER
Georgia
1994
Series
Cheers
Mrs. Brubaker
1982
Series
Hunter
Emma Parsons
1984
Series
Hunter
Mrs. Laskey
1984
Series
Quantum Leap
Millie Reynolds
1989
Series
American Playhouse
Mrs. Timmins
1982
Series
Hill Street Blues
Elizabeth Mies
1981
Series
Hannah Montana
Cathy
2006
Series
The Golden Girls
Claire
1985
Series
Happy Days
1974
Series
Happy Days
Grandma Nussbaum
1974
Series
L.A. Law
Marian McConnell
1986
Series
St. Elsewhere
Mrs. Renninger
1982
Series
Newhart
1982
Series
Matlock
Samantha Bergstrom
1986
Series
Matlock
Rose Hayes
1986
Series
Family Ties
Mrs. Florence Menlo
1982
Series
Simon & Simon
1981
Series
T. J. Hooker
Mrs. Greene
1982
Series
Tales from the Crypt
Witch
1989
Series
Hart to Hart
1979
Series
Hart to Hart
Flower Vendor
1979
Series
ALF
Louise Beaumont
1986
Series
Cagney & Lacey
Edna Kiss
1982
Series
Remington Steele
Mother Trust
1982
Series
Fame
1982
Series
Amazing Stories
Mrs Claus
1985
Series
Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction
Mildred Grayson (segment "The Gift")
1997
Series
The Hughleys
Mrs. Fitch
1998
Series
The Commish
1991
Series
Faerie Tale Theatre
Granny
1982
Series
My Wife and Kids
2001
Film
The Karate Kid
Lady with Dog
1984
Series
Da Vinci's Inquest
1998
Film
Happy Gilmore
Grandma
1996
Series
Clueless
1996
Series
Dave's World
Daisy
1993
Film
Blue Velvet
Aunt Barbara
1986
Film
Twins
Mother Superior
1988
Film
In the Mouth of Madness
Mrs. Pickman
1995
Film
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me
Mrs. Tremond (Chalfont)
1992
Police Story
Mary
1988
Series
Alien Nation
Mrs. Gillirue
1989
Film
Arachnophobia
Evelyn Metcalf
1990
Film
The Karate Kid Part III
Mrs. Milo
1989
Series
Suddenly Susan
Mrs. Tidgely
1996
Film
Wild at Heart
Madam
1990
Series
Father Dowling Mysteries
Victoria's Grandmother
1989
Film
Inspector Gadget
Thelma
1999
Film
Private School
Birdie Fallmouth
1983
Series
Presidio Med
Joan Hart
2002
Series
True Colors
Tante Sylvia
1990
Film
The Wedding Planner
Dottie
2001
Series
Sidekicks
1986
Film
Critters 3
Mrs. Menges
1991
Series
E/R
1984
Film
The Grifters
Arizona Motel Clerk
1990
Film
Foul Play
Mrs. Russel
1978
Film
Single White Female
Elderly Neighbor
1992
Series
The 5 Mrs. Buchanans
1994
Film
Edmond
Fortune Teller
2006
Series
The Oldest Rookie
1987
Series
Pacific Station
Celia Linder
1991
Series
Bob Patterson
Laurie Evans
2001
Film
Finder's Fee
Mrs. Darmsetter
2001
Series
Style & Substance
Elizabeth Hadley
1998
Film
Twin Peaks: The Missing Pieces
Mrs. Tremond (Chalfont)
2014
Film
Big Top Pee-wee
Mrs. Haynes
1988
Film
Nomads
Bertril
1986
Film
Buddy Buddy
Female Patient
1981
Film
Goodbye Lover
Old Woman
1999
Film
Krippendorf's Tribe
Edith Proxmire
1998
Film
Forever Love
Martha Craddock
1998
Film
The Paperboy
Mrs. Rosemont
1994
Film
The Pit and the Pendulum
Esmeralda
1991
Film
Kiss The Bride
2002
Film
Ring Around the Rosie
Nanna
2006
Film
Honky Tonk Freeway
Mrs. Lewenowski
1981
Film
Amy
Mrs. Lindey
1981
Film
Bare Knuckles
Rosie Mcintyre
2010
Film
Stranger Than Fiction
Mrs. Steiner
2000
Film
The Simple Life of Noah Dearborn
Mrs. Lewis
1999
Film
Sparkler
Raspy
1997
Film
Grave Secrets: The Legacy of Hilltop Drive
Iva Ruth McKinney
1992
Film
Callie & Son
Mabel Simpson
1981
Film
Movers & Shakers
Betty Gritz
1985
Film
A Whale for the Killing
1981
Film
Chilly Scenes of Winter
Mrs. Delillo
1979
Film
Wings
Mrs. Timmins
1983
Film
The Attic
Librarian
1980
Film
The Neighbor
Aunt Sylvia
1993
Film
Blue Velvet: The Lost Footage
Aunt Barbara
2011
Film
The Movie Hero
Wise Old Woman
2003
Film
Repo Chick
Granma De La Chasse
2009
Film
Inside Monkey Zetterland
Grandma
1992
Film
Double Exposure
Old Woman
1982
Film
The Operator
Mrs. Sloan
2000
Oh, Baby
Edna Winchester
2001
Film
Never Too Late
Elisabeth Kronner
1996
Pickin' and Grinnin'
Grandma Johnson
2010
Film
Class Cruise
Grandma
1989
Film
Second Sight: A Love Story
Old Woman
1984
Film
Annie's Point
Older Woman
2005
Film
Medium Rare
Gertrude
1987
Film
A Rose for Emily
Miss Wyatt
1983
Film
Little Red Riding Hood
Granny
1983
Film
In the Land of Milk and Money
Grandma Shallot
2004
Film
Topper
Mrs. Quincy
1979
Film
Amos
Lydia
1985
Film
Changing Habits
Midge
1997
The Eagle and The Bear
1985
Film
Rossini's Ghost
Rosalie
1996