Frances Bay
Biography
Frances Evelyn Bay, born Frances Goffman on January 23, 1919, in Dauphin, Manitoba, Canada, was a Canadian-American character actress known for playing a variety of quirky elderly women on film and television. Her career spanned 35 years and included initial success in radio and stage plays. During World War II, she became The Girlfriend to the Canadian Forces on CBC Radio to boost troops' spirits. After a hiatus following her marriage and move to the United States, during which she studied acting with Uta Hagen in New York, she returned to acting at age 60. She was featured in Foul Play, Twin Peaks, Blue Velvet, and other films and television shows. She passed away on September 15, 2011, at the age of 92.
Career overview
Frances Evelyn Bay was a Canadian-American character actress born in Dauphin, Manitoba, Canada on January 23, 1919. Throughout her 35-year career, she became known for playing a variety of quirky elderly women in both film and television. Her early work included initial success in radio and stage plays, and during World War II she served as The Girlfriend to the Canadian Forces on CBC Radio to boost troops spirits. Following a marriage and a move to the United States that led to a hiatus, she studied acting with Uta Hagen in New York.
Returning to acting at the age of 60, Bay made her feature appearance in Foul Play and went on to gain recognition across numerous television shows and films, including Twin Peaks and Blue Velvet. Over the course of her screen career, she amassed 115 known acting credits.
Bay passed away on September 15, 2011, at the age of 92.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
118 titles- Twin Peaks: The Missing Pieces (2014) as Mrs. Tremond (Chalfont)
- Blue Velvet: The Lost Footage (2011) as Aunt Barbara
- Pickin' and Grinnin' (2010) as Grandma Johnson
- Bare Knuckles (2010) as Rosie Mcintyre
- The Middle (2009) as Aunt Ginny
- Repo Chick (2009) as Granma De La Chasse
- Hannah Montana (2006) as Cathy
- Edmond (2006) as Fortune Teller
- Ring Around the Rosie (2006) as Nanna
- Annie's Point (2005) as Older Woman
- In the Land of Milk and Money (2004) as Grandma Shallot
- The Movie Hero (2003) as Wise Old Woman
- Presidio Med (2002) as Joan Hart
- Kiss The Bride (2002)
- My Wife and Kids (2001)
- The Wedding Planner (2001) as Dottie
- Bob Patterson (2001) as Laurie Evans
- Finder's Fee (2001) as Mrs. Darmsetter
- Oh, Baby (2001) as Edna Winchester
- The Operator (2000) as Mrs. Sloan
- Stranger Than Fiction (2000) as Mrs. Steiner
- Inspector Gadget (1999) as Thelma
- Goodbye Lover (1999) as Old Woman
- The Simple Life of Noah Dearborn (1999) as Mrs. Lewis
- Charmed (1998) as Old Phoebe
- The Hughleys (1998) as Mrs. Fitch
- Da Vinci's Inquest (1998)
- Style & Substance (1998) as Elizabeth Hadley
- Forever Love (1998) as Martha Craddock
- Krippendorf's Tribe (1998) as Edith Proxmire
- Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction (1997) as Mildred Grayson (segment "The Gift")
- Changing Habits (1997) as Midge
- Sparkler (1997) as Raspy
- Clueless (1996)
- Suddenly Susan (1996) as Mrs. Tidgely
- Happy Gilmore (1996) as Grandma
- Never Too Late (1996) as Elisabeth Kronner
- Rossini's Ghost (1996) as Rosalie
- In the Mouth of Madness (1995) as Mrs. Pickman
- ER (1994) as Georgia
- The 5 Mrs. Buchanans (1994)
- The Paperboy (1994) as Mrs. Rosemont
- The X-Files (1993) as Dorothy
- Dave's World (1993) as Daisy
- The Neighbor (1993) as Aunt Sylvia
- Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (1992) as Mrs. Tremond (Chalfont)
- Single White Female (1992) as Elderly Neighbor
- Inside Monkey Zetterland (1992) as Grandma
- Grave Secrets: The Legacy of Hilltop Drive (1992) as Iva Ruth McKinney
- The Commish (1991)
- The Pit and the Pendulum (1991) as Esmeralda
- Pacific Station (1991) as Celia Linder
- Critters 3 (1991) as Mrs. Menges
- Twin Peaks (1990) as Mrs. Tremond
- True Colors (1990) as Tante Sylvia
- Arachnophobia (1990) as Evelyn Metcalf
- Wild at Heart (1990) as Madam
- The Grifters (1990) as Arizona Motel Clerk
- Seinfeld (1989) as Mabel Choate
- Quantum Leap (1989) as Millie Reynolds
- Tales from the Crypt (1989) as Witch
- Alien Nation (1989) as Mrs. Gillirue
- Father Dowling Mysteries (1989) as Victoria's Grandmother
- The Karate Kid Part III (1989) as Mrs. Milo
- Class Cruise (1989) as Grandma
- Twins (1988) as Mother Superior
- Police Story (1988) as Mary
- Big Top Pee-wee (1988) as Mrs. Haynes
- The Oldest Rookie (1987)
- Medium Rare (1987) as Gertrude
- Matlock (1986) as Samantha Bergstrom
- Matlock (1986) as Rose Hayes
- L.A. Law (1986) as Marian McConnell
- ALF (1986) as Louise Beaumont
- Blue Velvet (1986) as Aunt Barbara
- Sidekicks (1986)
- Nomads (1986) as Bertril
- The Golden Girls (1985) as Claire
- Amazing Stories (1985) as Mrs Claus
- Amos (1985) as Lydia
- Movers & Shakers (1985) as Betty Gritz
- The Eagle and The Bear (1985)
- Murder, She Wrote (1984) as Sarah McCoy
- Hunter (1984) as Emma Parsons
- Hunter (1984) as Mrs. Laskey
- The Karate Kid (1984) as Lady with Dog
- E/R (1984)
- Second Sight: A Love Story (1984) as Old Woman
- Private School (1983) as Birdie Fallmouth
- Wings (1983) as Mrs. Timmins
- A Rose for Emily (1983) as Miss Wyatt
- Little Red Riding Hood (1983) as Granny
- Cheers (1982) as Mrs. Brubaker
- T. J. Hooker (1982) as Mrs. Greene
- St. Elsewhere (1982) as Mrs. Renninger
- American Playhouse (1982) as Mrs. Timmins
- Newhart (1982)
- Family Ties (1982) as Mrs. Florence Menlo
- Cagney & Lacey (1982) as Edna Kiss
- Remington Steele (1982) as Mother Trust
- Fame (1982)
- Faerie Tale Theatre (1982) as Granny
- Double Exposure (1982) as Old Woman
- Hill Street Blues (1981) as Elizabeth Mies
- Simon & Simon (1981)
- Buddy Buddy (1981) as Female Patient
- Honky Tonk Freeway (1981) as Mrs. Lewenowski
- Callie & Son (1981) as Mabel Simpson
- A Whale for the Killing (1981)
- Amy (1981) as Mrs. Lindey
- The Attic (1980) as Librarian
- Hart to Hart (1979)
- Hart to Hart (1979) as Flower Vendor
- Chilly Scenes of Winter (1979) as Mrs. Delillo
- Topper (1979) as Mrs. Quincy
- Foul Play (1978) as Mrs. Russel
- Happy Days (1974)
- Happy Days (1974) as Grandma Nussbaum
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Frances Bay best known for?
Frances Bay is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including The Departed (2006), Hannah Montana (2006), Edmond (2006), Fridays (1980).
When and where was Frances Bay born?
Frances Bay was born on January 23, 1919 in Dauphin, Manitoba, Canada. They passed away on September 15, 2011.
How many credits does Frances Bay have?
Frances Bay has accumulated over 118 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1974 to 2014.
What is Frances Bay's background in cinema and television?
Frances Evelyn Bay, born Frances Goffman on January 23, 1919, in Dauphin, Manitoba, Canada, was a Canadian-American character actress known for playing a variety of quirky elderly women on film and television. Her career spanned 35 years and included initial success in radio and stage plays. During World War II, she be...
Frances Bay by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- True Colors (1990) as Tante Sylvia — aged about 71
- The X-Files (1993) as Dorothy — aged about 74
- Twin Peaks (1990) as Mrs. Tremond — aged about 71
- Seinfeld (1989) as Mabel Choate — aged about 70
- Charmed (1998) as Old Phoebe — aged about 79
- Faerie Tale Theatre (1982) as Granny — aged about 63
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