Frances Bay

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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.

Filmography

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2014
Twin Peaks: The Missing Pieces
Movie Mrs. Tremond (Chalfont)
2011
Blue Velvet: The Lost Footage
Movie Aunt Barbara
2010
Pickin' and Grinnin'
Movie Grandma Johnson
2010
Bare Knuckles
Movie Rosie Mcintyre
2009
The Middle
TV show Aunt Ginny
2009
Repo Chick
Movie Granma De La Chasse
2006
Edmond
Movie Fortune Teller
2006
Hannah Montana
TV show Cathy
2006
Ring Around the Rosie
Movie Nanna
2005
Annie's Point
Movie Older Woman
2004
In the Land of Milk and Money
Movie Grandma Shallot
2003
The Movie Hero
Movie Wise Old Woman
2002
Kiss The Bride
Movie
2002
Presidio Med
TV show Joan Hart
2001
Bob Patterson
TV show Laurie Evans
2001
Oh, Baby
Movie Edna Winchester

More credits

2001
Finder's Fee
Movie Mrs. Darmsetter
2001
My Wife and Kids
TV show
2001
The Wedding Planner
Movie Dottie
2000
Stranger Than Fiction
Movie Mrs. Steiner
2000
The Operator
Movie Mrs. Sloan
1999
Inspector Gadget
Movie Thelma
1999
The Simple Life of Noah Dearborn
Movie Mrs. Lewis
1999
Goodbye Lover
Movie Old Woman
1998
Charmed
TV show Old Phoebe
1998
Da Vinci's Inquest
TV show
1998
Forever Love
Movie Martha Craddock
1998
The Hughleys
TV show Mrs. Fitch
1998
Krippendorf's Tribe
Movie Edith Proxmire
1998
Style & Substance
TV show Elizabeth Hadley
1997
Sparkler
Movie Raspy
1997
Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction
TV show Mildred Grayson (segment "The Gift")
1997
Changing Habits
Movie Midge
1996
Clueless
TV show
1996
Suddenly Susan
TV show Mrs. Tidgely
1996
Never Too Late
Movie Elisabeth Kronner
1996
Happy Gilmore
Movie Grandma
1996
Rossini's Ghost
Movie Rosalie
1995
In the Mouth of Madness
Movie Mrs. Pickman
1994
The Paperboy
Movie Mrs. Rosemont