Frances Bay

Frances Bay

  • Birthday: 1919-01-23
  • Deathday: 2011-09-15
  • Place of birth: Dauphin, Manitoba, Canada

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.

Filmography

Inspector Gadget

1999

As Thelma

Blue Velvet

1986

As Aunt Barbara

Ring Around the Rosie

2006

As Nanna

The Wedding Planner

2001

As Dottie

In the Mouth of Madness

1995

As Mrs. Pickman

Finder's Fee

2001

As Mrs. Darmsetter

Big Top Pee-wee

1988

As Mrs. Haynes

Twins

1988

As Mother Superior

Happy Gilmore

1996

As Grandma

Nomads

1986

As Bertril

Stranger Than Fiction

2000

As Mrs. Steiner

Chilly Scenes of Winter

1979

As Mrs. Delillo

Foul Play

1978

As Mrs. Russel

The Paperboy

1994

As Mrs. Rosemont

The Pit and the Pendulum

1991

As Esmeralda

The Grifters

1990

As Arizona Motel Clerk

Double Exposure

1982

As Old Woman

The Neighbor

1993

As Aunt Sylvia

Amy

1981

As Mrs. Lindey

Sparkler

1997

As Raspy

Pickin' and Grinnin'

2010

As Grandma Johnson

The Karate Kid Part III

1989

As Mrs. Milo

Wild at Heart

1990

As Madam

Critters 3

1991

As Mrs. Menges

The Attic

1980

As Librarian

Arachnophobia

1990

As Evelyn Metcalf

Edmond

2005

As Fortune Teller

Oh, Baby

2001

As Edna Winchester

Little Red Riding Hood

1983

As Granny

Annie's Point

2005

As Older Woman

Repo Chick

2009

As Granma De La Chasse

Private School

1983

As Birdie Fallmouth

Single White Female

1992

As Elderly Neighbor

Twin Peaks: The Missing Pieces

2014

As Mrs. Tremond (Chalfont)

Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me

1992

As Mrs. Tremond (Chalfont)

A Rose for Emily

1983

As Miss Wyatt

Forever Love

1998

As Martha Craddock

Buddy Buddy

1981

As Female Patient

Medium Rare

1987

As Gertrude

The Karate Kid

1984

As Lady with Dog

Never Too Late

1996

As Elisabeth Kronner

Goodbye Lover

1999

As Old Woman

Honky Tonk Freeway

1981

As Mrs. Lewenowski

Movers & Shakers

1985

As Betty Gritz

Krippendorf's Tribe

1998

As Edith Proxmire

The Movie Hero

2003

As Wise Old Woman

Amos

1985

As Lydia

Bare Knuckles

2010

As Rosie Mcintyre

Second Sight: A Love Story

1984

As Old Woman

Rossini's Ghost

1996

As Rosalie

Class Cruise

1989

As Grandma

Topper

1979

As Mrs. Quincy

Inside Monkey Zetterland

1992

As Grandma

Blue Velvet: The Lost Footage

2011

As Aunt Barbara

Callie & Son

1981

As Mabel Simpson

Murder in Texas

1981

As Myra Hill

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