Frances Bay
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.
114 acting credits
Acting · 114
The X-Files
1993
Seinfeld
1989
Charmed
1998
ER
1994
Murder, She Wrote
1984
Cheers
1982
The Middle
2009
Twin Peaks
1990
Hill Street Blues
1981
Quantum Leap
1989
L.A. Law
1986
St. Elsewhere
1982
Hunter
1984
The Golden Girls
1985
T. J. Hooker
1982
Matlock
1986
Family Ties
1982
Happy Days
1974
Simon & Simon
1981
Hart to Hart
1979
Hannah Montana
2006
ALF
1986
Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction
1997
Cagney & Lacey
1982
Tales from the Crypt
1989
Remington Steele
1982
Newhart
1982
Fame
1982
Amazing Stories
1985
The Commish
1991
Faerie Tale Theatre
1982
My Wife and Kids
2001
Dave's World
1993
Da Vinci's Inquest
1998
The Hughleys
1998
Clueless
1996
Suddenly Susan
1996
Alien Nation
1989
The Karate Kid
1984
Happy Gilmore 2
2025
Father Dowling Mysteries
1989
Presidio Med
2002
True Colors
1990
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me
1992
Blue Velvet
1986
Happy Gilmore
1996
Twins
1988
E/R
1984
In the Mouth of Madness
1995
The Karate Kid Part III
1989
Wild at Heart
1990
Inspector Gadget
1999
Style & Substance
1998
Sidekicks
1986
The 5 Mrs. Buchanans
1994
Pacific Station
1991
Police Story
1988
The Wedding Planner
2001
The Oldest Rookie
1987
Bob Patterson
2001
Private School
1983
Critters 3
1991
Twin Peaks: The Missing Pieces
2014
Foul Play
1978
Single White Female
1992
The Grifters
1990
Arachnophobia
1990
Big Top Pee-wee
1988
Nomads
1986
Krippendorf's Tribe
1998
The Pit and the Pendulum
1991
Edmond
2006
Goodbye Lover
1999
Kiss The Bride
2002
Chilly Scenes of Winter
1979
Amy
1981
Grave Secrets: The Legacy of Hilltop Drive
1992
Double Exposure
1982
Repo Chick
2009
The Simple Life of Noah Dearborn
1999
Honky Tonk Freeway
1981
Buddy Buddy
1981
A Whale for the Killing
1981
Second Sight: A Love Story
1984
Ring Around the Rosie
2006
Stranger Than Fiction
2000
Bare Knuckles
2010
The Movie Hero
2003
Finder's Fee
2001
Callie & Son
1981
Topper
1979
Never Too Late
1996
Sparkler
1997
Medium Rare
1987
The Neighbor
1993
Forever Love
1998
Movers & Shakers
1985
A Rose for Emily
1983
Blue Velvet: The Lost Footage
2011
The Operator
2000
Amos
1985
Annie's Point
2005
Changing Habits
1997
The Paperboy
1994
Little Red Riding Hood
1983
The Eagle and The Bear
1985
Wings
1983
In the Land of Milk and Money
2004
Pickin' and Grinnin'
2010
The Attic
1980
Inside Monkey Zetterland
1992
Class Cruise
1989
Oh, Baby
2001
Rossini's Ghost
1996