Frances Bay

Biography

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.

Movies & TV Shows

1. The Karate Kid (1984) — Lady with Dog
2. Blue Velvet (1986) — Aunt Barbara
3. The X-Files (1993) — Dorothy
4. Happy Gilmore (1996) — Grandma
5. Twin Peaks (1990) — Mrs. Tremond
6. Twins (1988) — Mother Superior
7. Charmed (1998) — Old Phoebe
8. Seinfeld (1989) — Mabel Choate
9. Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (1992) — Mrs. Tremond (Chalfont)
10. In the Mouth of Madness (1995) — Mrs. Pickman
11. Wild at Heart (1990) — Madam
12. The Karate Kid Part III (1989) — Mrs. Milo
13. The Wedding Planner (2001) — Dottie
14. Arachnophobia (1990) — Evelyn Metcalf
15. Inspector Gadget (1999) — Thelma
16. ALF (1986) — Louise Beaumont
17. Tales from the Crypt (1989) — Witch
18. ER (1994) — Georgia
19. Quantum Leap (1989) — Millie Reynolds
20. The Middle (2009) — Aunt Ginny
21. Hannah Montana (2006) — Cathy
22. Single White Female (1992) — Elderly Neighbor
23. Cheers (1982) — Mrs. Brubaker
24. My Wife and Kids (2001)
25. The Grifters (1990) — Arizona Motel Clerk
26. Critters 3 (1991) — Mrs. Menges
27. Murder, She Wrote (1984) — Sarah McCoy
28. The Golden Girls (1985) — Claire
29. Happy Days (1974)
30. Twin Peaks: The Missing Pieces (2014) — Mrs. Tremond (Chalfont)
31. Family Ties (1982) — Mrs. Florence Menlo
32. Foul Play (1978) — Mrs. Russel
33. Amazing Stories (1985) — Mrs Claus
34. Edmond (2006) — Fortune Teller
35. Private School (1983) — Birdie Fallmouth
36. Big Top Pee-wee (1988) — Mrs. Haynes
37. The Pit and the Pendulum (1991) — Esmeralda
38. Remington Steele (1982) — Mother Trust
39. Alien Nation (1989) — Mrs. Gillirue
40. Matlock (1986) — Samantha Bergstrom