Frances Bay
Acting
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.
TV Shows(49)
The Middle
Aunt Ginny
2009
Hannah Montana
Cathy
2006
Presidio Med
Joan Hart
2002
Bob Patterson
Laurie Evans
2001
My Wife and Kids
2001
Charmed
Old Phoebe
1998
Da Vinci's Inquest
1998
The Hughleys
Mrs. Fitch
1998
Style & Substance
Elizabeth Hadley
1998
Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction
Mildred Grayson (segment "The Gift")
1997
Clueless
1996
Suddenly Susan
Mrs. Tidgely
1996
The 5 Mrs. Buchanans
1994
ER
Georgia
1994
Dave's World
Daisy
1993
The X-Files
Dorothy
1993
The Commish
1991
Pacific Station
Celia Linder
1991
True Colors
Tante Sylvia
1990
Twin Peaks
Mrs. Tremond
1990
Alien Nation
Mrs. Gillirue
1989
Seinfeld
Mabel Choate
1989
Tales from the Crypt
Witch
1989
Quantum Leap
Millie Reynolds
1989
Father Dowling Mysteries
Victoria's Grandmother
1989
Police Story
Mary
1988
The Oldest Rookie
1987
Sidekicks
1986
ALF
Louise Beaumont
1986
L.A. Law
Marian McConnell
1986
Matlock
Samantha Bergstrom
1986
Amazing Stories
Mrs Claus
1985
The Golden Girls
Claire
1985
Murder, She Wrote
Sarah McCoy
1984
Hunter
Emma Parsons
1984
E/R
1984
St. Elsewhere
Mrs. Renninger
1982
Newhart
1982
Remington Steele
Mother Trust
1982
Cheers
Mrs. Brubaker
1982
Family Ties
Mrs. Florence Menlo
1982
Faerie Tale Theatre
Granny
1982
Cagney & Lacey
Edna Kiss
1982
T. J. Hooker
Mrs. Greene
1982
Fame
1982
Simon & Simon
1981
Hill Street Blues
Elizabeth Mies
1981
Hart to Hart
1979
Happy Days
1974
Movies(64)
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
Repo Chick
Granma De La Chasse
2009
Edmond
Fortune Teller
2006
Ring Around the Rosie
Nanna
2006
Annie's Point
Older Woman
2005
In the Land of Milk and Money
Grandma Shallot
2004
The Movie Hero
Wise Old Woman
2003
Kiss The Bride
2002
Oh, Baby
Edna Winchester
2001
Finder's Fee
Mrs. Darmsetter
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
Forever Love
Martha Craddock
1998
Krippendorf's Tribe
Edith Proxmire
1998
Sparkler
Raspy
1997
Changing Habits
Midge
1997
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 Neighbor
Aunt Sylvia
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 Pit and the Pendulum
Esmeralda
1991
Wild at Heart
Madam
1990
The Grifters
Arizona Motel Clerk
1990
Arachnophobia
Evelyn Metcalf
1990
Class Cruise
Grandma
1989
The Karate Kid Part III
Mrs. Milo
1989
Twins
Mother Superior
1988
Big Top Pee-wee
Mrs. Haynes
1988
Medium Rare
Gertrude
1987
Blue Velvet
Aunt Barbara
1986
Nomads
Bertril
1986
Amos
Lydia
1985
Movers & Shakers
Betty Gritz
1985
The Eagle and The Bear
1985
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
Double Exposure
Old Woman
1982
Honky Tonk Freeway
Mrs. Lewenowski
1981
Buddy Buddy
Female Patient
1981
Amy
Mrs. Lindey
1981
A Whale for the Killing
1981
Callie & Son
Mabel Simpson
1981
The Attic
Librarian
1980
Topper
Mrs. Quincy
1979
Chilly Scenes of Winter
Mrs. Delillo
1979
Foul Play
Mrs. Russel
1978