Frances Bay
Born
January 23, 1919
Died
September 15, 2011 (92 years old)
Known For
Acting
Place of Birth
Dauphin, Manitoba, Canada
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.
Twin Peaks: The Missing Pieces
Mrs. Tremond (Chalfont)
2014
Blue Velvet: The Lost Footage
Aunt Barbara
2011
Pickin' and Grinnin'
Grandma Johnson
2010
Bare Knuckles
Rosie Mcintyre
2010
The Middle
Aunt Ginny · (11 episodes)
2009
Repo Chick
Granma De La Chasse
2009
Hannah Montana
Cathy · (1 episode)
2006
Ring Around the Rosie
Nanna
2006
Edmond
Fortune Teller
2005
Annie's Point
Older Woman
2005
The Movie Hero
Wise Old Woman
2003
Kiss The Bride
2002
Presidio Med
(1 episode)
2002
Bob Patterson
Laurie Evans · (1 episode)
2001
Oh, Baby
Edna Winchester
2001
Finder's Fee
Mrs. Darmsetter
2001
My Wife and Kids
(1 episode)
2001
The Wedding Planner
Dottie
2001
Stranger Than Fiction
Mrs. Steiner
2000
The Operator
Mrs. Sloan
2000
Inspector Gadget
Thelma
1999
The Simple Life of Noah Dearborn
Mrs. Lewis
1999
Goodbye Lover
Old Woman
1999
Charmed
Old Phoebe · (1 episode)
1998
Da Vinci's Inquest
(1 episode)
1998
Forever Love
Martha Craddock
1998
The Hughleys
(1 episode)
1998
Krippendorf's Tribe
Edith Proxmire
1998
Style & Substance
Elizabeth Hadley · (1 episode)
1998
Sparkler
Raspy
1997
Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction
Mildred Grayson (segment "The Gift") · (1 episode)
1997
Changing Habits
Midge
1997
Clueless
(1 episode)
1996
Suddenly Susan
Mrs. Tidgely · (1 episode)
1996
Never Too Late
Elisabeth Kronner
1996
Happy Gilmore
Grandma
1996
Rossini's Ghost
Rosalie
1996
In the Mouth of Madness
Mrs. Pickman
1995
The Paperboy
Mrs. Rosemont
1994
The 5 Mrs. Buchanans
(1 episode)
1994
ER
Georgia · (1 episode)
1994
The Neighbor
Aunt Sylvia
1993
Dave's World
Daisy · (1 episode)
1993
The X-Files
Dorothy · (1 episode)
1993
Inside Monkey Zetterland
Grandma
1992
Single White Female
Elderly Neighbor
1992
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me
Mrs. Tremond (Chalfont)
1992
Grave Secrets: The Legacy of Hilltop Drive
Iva Ruth McKinney
1992
Critters 3
Mrs. Menges
1991
The Commish
(1 episode)
1991
Pacific Station
Celia Linder · (1 episode)
1991
The Pit and the Pendulum
Esmeralda
1991
True Colors
Tante Sylvia · (1 episode)
1990
Wild at Heart
Madam
1990
The Grifters
Arizona Motel Clerk
1990
Arachnophobia
Evelyn Metcalf
1990
Twin Peaks
Mrs. Tremond · (1 episode)
1990
Class Cruise
Grandma
1989
Alien Nation
(1 episode)
1989
Seinfeld
Mabel Choate · (5 episodes)
1989
The Karate Kid Part III
Mrs. Milo
1989
Tales from the Crypt
Witch · (1 episode)
1989
Quantum Leap
Millie Reynolds · (1 episode)
1989
Father Dowling Mysteries
Victoria's Grandmother · (1 episode)
1989
Twins
Mother Superior
1988
Big Top Pee-wee
Mrs. Haynes
1988
The Oldest Rookie
(1 episode)
1987
Medium Rare
Gertrude
1987
Sidekicks
(1 episode)
1986
ALF
Louise Beaumont · (1 episode)
1986
Blue Velvet
Aunt Barbara
1986
L.A. Law
Marian McConnell · (1 episode)
1986
Nomads
Bertril
1986
Matlock
Samantha Bergstrom · (1 episode)
1986
Amos
Lydia
1985
Amazing Stories
Mrs Claus · (1 episode)
1985
The Golden Girls
Claire · (1 episode)
1985
Movers & Shakers
Betty Gritz
1985
The Eagle and The Bear
1985
Murder, She Wrote
Sarah McCoy · (1 episode)
1984
Hunter
Emma Parsons · (1 episode)
1984
Hunter
Mrs. Laskey · (2 episodes)
1984
E/R
(1 episode)
1984
The Karate Kid
Lady with Dog
1984
Second Sight: A Love Story
Old Woman
1984
Little Red Riding Hood
Granny
1983
A Rose for Emily
Miss Wyatt
1983
Private School
Birdie Fallmouth
1983
Wings
Mrs. Timmins
1983
St. Elsewhere
Mrs. Renninger · (1 episode)
1982
Newhart
(1 episode)
1982
Remington Steele
Mother Trust · (1 episode)
1982
Cheers
Mrs. Brubaker · (1 episode)
1982
Family Ties
Mrs. Florence Menlo · (1 episode)
1982
Faerie Tale Theatre
Granny · (1 episode)
1982
Double Exposure
Old Woman
1982
Cagney & Lacey
(1 episode)
1982
T. J. Hooker
Mrs. Greene · (1 episode)
1982
Fame
(1 episode)
1982
Simon & Simon
(2 episodes)
1981
Callie & Son
Mabel Simpson
1981
Honky Tonk Freeway
Mrs. Lewenowski
1981
Buddy Buddy
Female Patient
1981
Amy
Mrs. Lindey
1981
A Whale for the Killing
1981
Hill Street Blues
Elizabeth Mies · (1 episode)
1981
The Attic
Librarian
1980
Topper
Mrs. Quincy
1979
Chilly Scenes of Winter
Mrs. Delillo
1979
Hart to Hart
(1 episode)
1979
Hart to Hart
Flower Vendor · (1 episode)
1979
Foul Play
Mrs. Russel
1978
Happy Days
(2 episodes)
1974
Happy Days
Grandma Nussbaum · (1 episode)
1974