Frances Bay
Known for Acting · 114 credits
- Born
- 1919-01-23
- Died
- 2011-09-15
- Place of birth
- Dauphin, Manitoba, Canada
- Also known as
- Frances Evelyn Bay · Frances Evelyn Goffman
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.
Known For
TV Shows (49)
Seinfeld
1989
as Mabel Choate
The X-Files
1993
as Dorothy
Charmed
1998
as Old Phoebe
ER
1994
as Georgia
Murder, She Wrote
1984
as Sarah McCoy
The Middle
2009
as Aunt Ginny
Cheers
1982
as Mrs. Brubaker
Twin Peaks
1990
as Mrs. Tremond
Hill Street Blues
1981
as Elizabeth Mies
Quantum Leap
1989
as Millie Reynolds
L.A. Law
1986
as Marian McConnell
St. Elsewhere
1982
as Mrs. Renninger
Simon & Simon
1981
The Golden Girls
1985
as Claire
Family Ties
1982
as Mrs. Florence Menlo
Matlock
1986
as Samantha Bergstrom / Rose Hayes
T. J. Hooker
1982
as Mrs. Greene
ALF
1986
as Louise Beaumont
Happy Days
1974
as Grandma Nussbaum
Hannah Montana
2006
as Cathy
Hunter
1984
as Emma Parsons / Mrs. Laskey
Hart to Hart
1979
as Flower Vendor
Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction
1997
as Mildred Grayson (segment "The Gift")
Cagney & Lacey
1982
as Edna Kiss
Tales from the Crypt
1989
as Witch
Fame
1982
Newhart
1982
Remington Steele
1982
as Mother Trust
The Commish
1991
Amazing Stories
1985
as Mrs Claus
My Wife and Kids
2001
Faerie Tale Theatre
1982
as Granny
The Hughleys
1998
as Mrs. Fitch
Da Vinci's Inquest
1998
Dave's World
1993
as Daisy
Clueless
1996
Suddenly Susan
1996
as Mrs. Tidgely
Alien Nation
1989
as Mrs. Gillirue
Father Dowling Mysteries
1989
as Victoria's Grandmother
True Colors
1990
as Tante Sylvia
Presidio Med
2002
as Joan Hart
E/R
1984
Sidekicks
1986
The 5 Mrs. Buchanans
1994
Pacific Station
1991
as Celia Linder
Style & Substance
1998
as Elizabeth Hadley
Bob Patterson
2001
as Laurie Evans
Police Story
1988
as Mary
The Oldest Rookie
1987
Movies (65)
The Karate Kid
1984
as Lady with Dog
Happy Gilmore 2
2025
as Grandma (archive footage)
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me
1992
as Mrs. Tremond (Chalfont)
Blue Velvet
1986
as Aunt Barbara
Twins
1988
as Mother Superior
Happy Gilmore
1996
as Grandma
In the Mouth of Madness
1995
as Mrs. Pickman
Wild at Heart
1990
as Madam
Inspector Gadget
1999
as Thelma
The Karate Kid Part III
1989
as Mrs. Milo
Private School
1983
as Birdie Fallmouth
The Wedding Planner
2001
as Dottie
Critters 3
1991
as Mrs. Menges
Foul Play
1978
as Mrs. Russel
Single White Female
1992
as Elderly Neighbor
Arachnophobia
1990
as Evelyn Metcalf
Twin Peaks: The Missing Pieces
2014
as Mrs. Tremond (Chalfont)
Nomads
1986
as Bertril
The Grifters
1990
as Arizona Motel Clerk
Edmond
2006
as Fortune Teller
Big Top Pee-wee
1988
as Mrs. Haynes
The Paperboy
1994
as Mrs. Rosemont
Goodbye Lover
1999
as Old Woman
Amy
1981
as Mrs. Lindey
The Pit and the Pendulum
1991
as Esmeralda
Finder's Fee
2001
as Mrs. Darmsetter
Krippendorf's Tribe
1998
as Edith Proxmire
Kiss The Bride
2002
Grave Secrets: The Legacy of Hilltop Drive
1992
as Iva Ruth McKinney
Repo Chick
2009
as Granma De La Chasse
Callie & Son
1981
as Mabel Simpson
Double Exposure
1982
as Old Woman
Bare Knuckles
2010
as Rosie Mcintyre
The Simple Life of Noah Dearborn
1999
as Mrs. Lewis
Ring Around the Rosie
2006
as Nanna
Blue Velvet: The Lost Footage
2011
as Aunt Barbara
Stranger Than Fiction
2000
as Mrs. Steiner
Forever Love
1998
as Martha Craddock
Sparkler
1997
as Raspy
Buddy Buddy
1981
as Female Patient
Honky Tonk Freeway
1981
as Mrs. Lewenowski
Chilly Scenes of Winter
1979
as Mrs. Delillo
The Movie Hero
2003
as Wise Old Woman
The Operator
2000
as Mrs. Sloan
A Whale for the Killing
1981
Oh, Baby
2001
as Edna Winchester
Movers & Shakers
1985
as Betty Gritz
Second Sight: A Love Story
1984
as Old Woman
Amos
1985
as Lydia
The Attic
1980
as Librarian
Topper
1979
as Mrs. Quincy
Inside Monkey Zetterland
1992
as Grandma
Never Too Late
1996
as Elisabeth Kronner
Medium Rare
1987
as Gertrude
The Neighbor
1993
as Aunt Sylvia
Pickin' and Grinnin'
2010
as Grandma Johnson
Wings
1983
as Mrs. Timmins
Annie's Point
2005
as Older Woman
Changing Habits
1997
as Midge
Class Cruise
1989
as Grandma
Little Red Riding Hood
1983
as Granny
The Eagle and The Bear
1985
A Rose for Emily
1983
as Miss Wyatt
In the Land of Milk and Money
2004
as Grandma Shallot
Rossini's Ghost
1996
as Rosalie
About 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 Y… With 114 credits spanning from 1974 to 2025, Frances Bay has appeared in 65 films and 49 TV shows.
Fans searching for Frances Bay movies, Frances Bay filmography, or the latest projects starring Frances Bay can stream many of these titles on Bowood.TV, free and in HD, with no subscription required.
Most Popular Frances Bay Movies
- The Karate Kid (1984) — as Lady with Dog
- Happy Gilmore 2 (2025) — as Grandma (archive footage)
- Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (1992) — as Mrs. Tremond (Chalfont)
- Blue Velvet (1986) — as Aunt Barbara
- Twins (1988) — as Mother Superior
Where to Watch Frances Bay Films
Most Frances Bay movies and series are available to stream on Bowood.TV in full HD, completely free and without signup. Browse the complete filmography above to jump directly to any title. For more films and the latest web series featuring Frances Bay, check our movies catalogue and browse page.