About

Known credits:
61
Birthday:
1919-01-23
Place of birth:
Dauphin, Manitoba, Canada
Website:
N/A

Frances Bay

Overview

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

Acting
2014 Twin Peaks: The Missing Pieces Actor Mrs. Tremond (Chalfont) 63
Fair
2011 Blue Velvet: The Lost Footage Actor Aunt Barbara 59
Average
2010 Pickin' and Grinnin' Actor Grandma Johnson N/A
N/A
2010 Bare Knuckles Actor Rosie Mcintyre 58
Average
2009 Repo Chick Actor Granma De La Chasse 58
Average
2006 Ring Around the Rosie Actor Nanna 58
Average
2005 Edmond Actor Fortune Teller 59
Average
2005 Annie's Point Actor Older Woman 59
Average
2003 The Movie Hero Actor Wise Old Woman 58
Average
2001 Oh, Baby Actor Edna Winchester 58
Average
2001 Finder's Fee Actor Mrs. Darmsetter 59
Average
2001 The Wedding Planner Actor Dottie 59
Average
2000 Stranger Than Fiction Actor Mrs. Steiner 58
Average
1999 Inspector Gadget Actor Thelma 49
Bad
1999 The Simple Life of Noah Dearborn Actor Mrs. Lewis 59
Average
1999 Goodbye Lover Actor Old Woman 58
Average
1998 Forever Love Actor Martha Craddock 59
Average
1998 Krippendorf's Tribe Actor Edith Proxmire 57
Average
1997 Sparkler Actor Raspy 58
Average
1997 Changing Habits Actor Midge 58
Average
1996 Never Too Late Actor Elisabeth Kronner 58
Average
1996 Happy Gilmore Actor Grandma 64
Fair
1996 Rossini's Ghost Actor Rosalie N/A
N/A
1995 In the Mouth of Madness Actor Mrs. Pickman 68
Fair
1994 The Paperboy Actor Mrs. Rosemont 58
Average
1993 The Neighbor Actor Aunt Sylvia 58
Average
1992 Inside Monkey Zetterland Actor Grandma 58
Average
1992 Single White Female Actor Elderly Neighbor 61
Fair
1992 Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me Actor Mrs. Tremond (Chalfont) 70
Good
1992 Grave Secrets: The Legacy of Hilltop Drive Actor Iva Ruth McKinney 58
Average
1991 Critters 3 Actor Mrs. Menges 55
Average
1991 The Pit and the Pendulum Actor Esmeralda 58
Average
1990 Wild at Heart Actor Madam 67
Fair
1990 The Grifters Actor Arizona Motel Clerk 61
Fair
1990 Arachnophobia Actor Evelyn Metcalf 62
Fair
1989 Class Cruise Actor Grandma 58
Average
1989 The Karate Kid Part III Actor Mrs. Milo 58
Average
1988 Twins Actor Mother Superior 59
Average
1988 Big Top Pee-wee Actor Mrs. Haynes 57
Average
1987 Medium Rare Actor Gertrude 58
Average
1986 Blue Velvet Actor Aunt Barbara 73
Good
1986 Nomads Actor Bertril 57
Average
1985 Amos Actor Lydia 59
Average
1985 Movers & Shakers Actor Betty Gritz 58
Average
1985 The Eagle and The Bear Actor N/A
N/A
1984 The Karate Kid Actor Lady with Dog 70
Good
1984 Second Sight: A Love Story Actor Old Woman 59
Average
1983 Little Red Riding Hood Actor Granny 59
Average
1983 A Rose for Emily Actor Miss Wyatt 58
Average
1983 Private School Actor Birdie Fallmouth 58
Average
1982 Double Exposure Actor Old Woman 58
Average
1981 Callie & Son Actor Mabel Simpson 59
Average
1981 Honky Tonk Freeway Actor Mrs. Lewenowski 58
Average
1981 Murder in Texas Actor Myra Hill 58
Average
1981 Buddy Buddy Actor Female Patient 59
Average
1981 Amy Actor Mrs. Lindey 59
Average
1981 A Whale for the Killing Actor 59
Average
1980 The Attic Actor Librarian 58
Average
1979 Topper Actor Mrs. Quincy N/A
N/A
1979 Chilly Scenes of Winter Actor Mrs. Delillo 59
Average
1978 Foul Play Actor Mrs. Russel 60
Fair