Acting · Dauphin, Manitoba, Canada · Born January 23, 1919
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.
MovieTwin Peaks: The Missing Pieces
2014
as Mrs. Tremond (Chalfont)
MovieBlue Velvet: The Lost Footage
2011
as Aunt Barbara
Pickin' and Grinnin'
2010
as Grandma Johnson
MovieBare Knuckles
2010
as Rosie Mcintyre
TVThe Middle
2009
as Aunt Ginny
MovieRepo Chick
2009
as Granma De La Chasse
MovieEdmond
2006
as Fortune Teller
TVHannah Montana
2006
as Cathy
MovieRing Around the Rosie
2006
as Nanna
MovieAnnie's Point
2005
as Older Woman
MovieIn the Land of Milk and Money
2004
as Grandma Shallot
MovieThe Movie Hero
2003
as Wise Old Woman
MovieKiss The Bride
2002
TVPresidio Med
2002
as Joan Hart
TVBob Patterson
2001
as Laurie Evans
Oh, Baby
2001
as Edna Winchester
MovieFinder's Fee
2001
as Mrs. Darmsetter
TVMy Wife and Kids
2001
MovieThe Wedding Planner
2001
as Dottie
MovieStranger Than Fiction
2000
as Mrs. Steiner
MovieThe Operator
2000
as Mrs. Sloan
MovieInspector Gadget
1999
as Thelma
MovieThe Simple Life of Noah Dearborn
1999
as Mrs. Lewis
MovieGoodbye Lover
1999
as Old Woman
TVCharmed
1998
as Old Phoebe
TVDa Vinci's Inquest
1998
MovieForever Love
1998
as Martha Craddock
TVThe Hughleys
1998
as Mrs. Fitch
MovieKrippendorf's Tribe
1998
as Edith Proxmire
TVStyle & Substance
1998
as Elizabeth Hadley
MovieSparkler
1997
as Raspy
TVBeyond Belief: Fact or Fiction
1997
as Mildred Grayson (segment "The Gift")
MovieChanging Habits
1997
as Midge
TVClueless
1996
TVSuddenly Susan
1996
as Mrs. Tidgely
MovieNever Too Late
1996
as Elisabeth Kronner
MovieHappy Gilmore
1996
as Grandma
MovieRossini's Ghost
1996
as Rosalie
MovieIn the Mouth of Madness
1995
as Mrs. Pickman
MovieThe Paperboy
1994
as Mrs. Rosemont
TVThe 5 Mrs. Buchanans
1994
TVER
1994
as Georgia
MovieThe Neighbor
1993
as Aunt Sylvia
TVDave's World
1993
as Daisy
TVThe X-Files
1993
as Dorothy
MovieInside Monkey Zetterland
1992
as Grandma
MovieSingle White Female
1992
as Elderly Neighbor
MovieTwin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me
1992
as Mrs. Tremond (Chalfont)
MovieGrave Secrets: The Legacy of Hilltop Drive
1992
as Iva Ruth McKinney
MovieCritters 3
1991
as Mrs. Menges
TVThe Commish
1991
TVPacific Station
1991
as Celia Linder
MovieThe Pit and the Pendulum
1991
as Esmeralda
TVTrue Colors
1990
as Tante Sylvia
MovieWild at Heart
1990
as Madam
MovieThe Grifters
1990
as Arizona Motel Clerk
MovieArachnophobia
1990
as Evelyn Metcalf
TVTwin Peaks
1990
as Mrs. Tremond
MovieClass Cruise
1989
as Grandma
TVAlien Nation
1989
as Mrs. Gillirue
TVSeinfeld
1989
as Mabel Choate
MovieThe Karate Kid Part III
1989
as Mrs. Milo
TVTales from the Crypt
1989
as Witch
TVQuantum Leap
1989
as Millie Reynolds
TVFather Dowling Mysteries
1989
as Victoria's Grandmother
MovieTwins
1988
as Mother Superior
Police Story
1988
as Mary
MovieBig Top Pee-wee
1988
as Mrs. Haynes
TVThe Oldest Rookie
1987
MovieMedium Rare
1987
as Gertrude
TVSidekicks
1986
TVALF
1986
as Louise Beaumont
MovieBlue Velvet
1986
as Aunt Barbara
TVL.A. Law
1986
as Marian McConnell
MovieNomads
1986
as Bertril
TVMatlock
1986
as Samantha Bergstrom
MovieAmos
1985
as Lydia
TVAmazing Stories
1985
as Mrs Claus
TVThe Golden Girls
1985
as Claire
MovieMovers & Shakers
1985
as Betty Gritz
The Eagle and The Bear
1985
TVMurder, She Wrote
1984
as Sarah McCoy
TVHunter
1984
as Emma Parsons
TVE/R
1984
MovieThe Karate Kid
1984
as Lady with Dog
MovieSecond Sight: A Love Story
1984
as Old Woman
MovieLittle Red Riding Hood
1983
as Granny
MovieA Rose for Emily
1983
as Miss Wyatt
MoviePrivate School
1983
as Birdie Fallmouth
MovieWings
1983
as Mrs. Timmins
TVSt. Elsewhere
1982
as Mrs. Renninger
TVNewhart
1982
TVRemington Steele
1982
as Mother Trust
TVCheers
1982
as Mrs. Brubaker
TVFamily Ties
1982
as Mrs. Florence Menlo
TVFaerie Tale Theatre
1982
as Granny
MovieDouble Exposure
1982
as Old Woman
TVCagney & Lacey
1982
as Edna Kiss
TVT. J. Hooker
1982
as Mrs. Greene
TVAmerican Playhouse
1982
as Mrs. Timmins
TVFame
1982
TVSimon & Simon
1981
MovieHonky Tonk Freeway
1981
as Mrs. Lewenowski
MovieBuddy Buddy
1981
as Female Patient
MovieAmy
1981
as Mrs. Lindey
MovieA Whale for the Killing
1981
TVHill Street Blues
1981
as Elizabeth Mies
MovieCallie & Son
1981
as Mabel Simpson
MovieThe Attic
1980
as Librarian
MovieTopper
1979
as Mrs. Quincy
MovieChilly Scenes of Winter
1979
as Mrs. Delillo
TVHart to Hart
1979
MovieFoul Play
1978
as Mrs. Russel
TVHappy Days
1974
