
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.
Gallery



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









