Frances Bay

Frances Bay

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
2014
Mrs. Tremond (Chalfont)
Blue Velvet: The Lost Footage
2011
Aunt Barbara
Bare Knuckles
2010
Rosie Mcintyre
Repo Chick
2009
Granma De La Chasse
Ring Around the Rosie
2006
Nanna
Edmond
2005
Fortune Teller
Annie's Point
2005
Older Woman
The Movie Hero
2003
Wise Old Woman
Kiss The Bride
2002
The Wedding Planner
2001
Dottie
Finder's Fee
2001
Mrs. Darmsetter
Stranger Than Fiction
2000
Mrs. Steiner
The Operator
2000
Mrs. Sloan
Inspector Gadget
1999
Thelma
The Simple Life of Noah Dearborn
1999
Mrs. Lewis
Goodbye Lover
1999
Old Woman
Forever Love
1998
Martha Craddock
Krippendorf's Tribe
1998
Edith Proxmire
Sparkler
1997
Raspy
Changing Habits
1997
Midge
Happy Gilmore
1996
Grandma
Rossini's Ghost
1996
Rosalie
Never Too Late
1996
Elisabeth Kronner
In the Mouth of Madness
1995
Mrs. Pickman
The Paperboy
1994
Mrs. Rosemont
The Neighbor
1993
Aunt Sylvia
Inside Monkey Zetterland
1992
Grandma
Single White Female
1992
Elderly Neighbor
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me
1992
Mrs. Tremond (Chalfont)
Grave Secrets: The Legacy of Hilltop Drive
1992
Iva Ruth McKinney
The Pit and the Pendulum
1991
Esmeralda
Critters 3
1991
Mrs. Menges
The Grifters
1990
Arizona Motel Clerk
Wild at Heart
1990
Madam
Arachnophobia
1990
Evelyn Metcalf
Class Cruise
1989
Grandma
The Karate Kid Part III
1989
Mrs. Milo
Big Top Pee-wee
1988
Mrs. Haynes
Twins
1988
Mother Superior
Medium Rare
1987
Gertrude
Blue Velvet
1986
Aunt Barbara
Nomads
1986
Bertril
Amos
1985
Lydia
Movers & Shakers
1985
Betty Gritz
Second Sight: A Love Story
1984
Old Woman
The Karate Kid
1984
Lady with Dog
Little Red Riding Hood
1983
Granny
Private School
1983
Birdie Fallmouth
A Rose for Emily
1983
Miss Wyatt
Wings
1983
Mrs. Timmins
Double Exposure
1982
Old Woman
Amy
1981
Mrs. Lindey
Callie & Son
1981
Mabel Simpson
A Whale for the Killing
1981
Buddy Buddy
1981
Female Patient
Honky Tonk Freeway
1981
Mrs. Lewenowski
The Attic
1980
Librarian
Chilly Scenes of Winter
1979
Mrs. Delillo
Topper
1979
Mrs. Quincy
Foul Play
1978
Mrs. Russel