Frances Bay
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- 23 January 1919 · Dauphin, Manitoba, Canada
- Died
- 15 September 2011
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.
Known for
Acting 66
- 2025Happy Gilmore 2 as Grandma (archive footage)
- 2014Twin Peaks: The Missing Pieces as Mrs. Tremond (Chalfont)
- 2011Blue Velvet: The Lost Footage as Aunt Barbara
- 2010Pickin' and Grinnin' as Grandma Johnson
- 2010Bare Knuckles as Rosie Mcintyre
- 2009Repo Chick as Granma De La Chasse
- 2006Edmond as Fortune Teller
- 2006Ring Around the Rosie as Nanna
- 2005Annie's Point as Older Woman
- 2004In the Land of Milk and Money as Grandma Shallot
- 2003The Movie Hero as Wise Old Woman
- 2002Kiss The Bride
- 2001Oh, Baby as Edna Winchester
- 2001Finder's Fee as Mrs. Darmsetter
- 2001The Wedding Planner as Dottie
- 2000Stranger Than Fiction as Mrs. Steiner
- 2000The Operator as Mrs. Sloan
- 1999Inspector Gadget as Thelma
- 1999The Simple Life of Noah Dearborn as Mrs. Lewis
- 1999Goodbye Lover as Old Woman
- 1998Forever Love as Martha Craddock
- 1998Krippendorf's Tribe as Edith Proxmire
- 1997Sparkler as Raspy
- 1997Changing Habits as Midge
- 1996Never Too Late as Elisabeth Kronner
- 1996Happy Gilmore as Grandma
- 1996Rossini's Ghost as Rosalie
- 1995In the Mouth of Madness as Mrs. Pickman
- 1994The Paperboy as Mrs. Rosemont
- 1993The Neighbor as Aunt Sylvia
- 1992Inside Monkey Zetterland as Grandma
- 1992Single White Female as Elderly Neighbor
- 1992Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me as Mrs. Tremond (Chalfont)
- 1992Grave Secrets: The Legacy of Hilltop Drive as Iva Ruth McKinney
- 1991Critters 3 as Mrs. Menges
- 1991The Pit and the Pendulum as Esmeralda
- 1990Amazing Stories: The Movie II as Mrs. Santa Claus
- 1990Wild at Heart as Madam
- 1990The Grifters as Arizona Motel Clerk
- 1990Arachnophobia as Evelyn Metcalf
- 1989Class Cruise as Grandma
- 1989The Karate Kid Part III as Mrs. Milo
- 1988Twins as Mother Superior
- 1988Big Top Pee-wee as Mrs. Haynes
- 1987Medium Rare as Gertrude
- 1986Blue Velvet as Aunt Barbara
- 1986Nomads as Bertril
- 1985Amos as Lydia
- 1985Movers & Shakers as Betty Gritz
- 1985The Eagle and The Bear
- 1984The Karate Kid as Lady with Dog
- 1984Second Sight: A Love Story as Old Woman
- 1983Little Red Riding Hood as Granny
- 1983A Rose for Emily as Miss Wyatt
- 1983Private School as Birdie Fallmouth
- 1983Wings as Mrs. Timmins
- 1982Double Exposure as Old Woman
- 1981Honky Tonk Freeway as Mrs. Lewenowski
- 1981Buddy Buddy as Female Patient
- 1981Amy as Mrs. Lindey
- 1981A Whale for the Killing
- 1981Callie & Son as Mabel Simpson
- 1980The Attic as Librarian
- 1979Topper as Mrs. Quincy
- 1979Chilly Scenes of Winter as Mrs. Delillo
- 1978Foul Play as Mrs. Russel