1919-01-23 Dauphin, Manitoba, Canada
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.
 |
Happy Gilmore 2 | Grandma (archive footage) | 2025-07-25 |
 |
Twin Peaks: The Missing Pieces | Mrs. Tremond (Chalfont) | 2014-07-16 |
 |
Blue Velvet: The Lost Footage | Aunt Barbara | 2011-11-08 |
 |
Bare Knuckles | Rosie Mcintyre | 2010-01-01 |
 |
Pickin' and Grinnin' | Grandma Johnson | 2010-04-17 |
 |
Repo Chick | Granma De La Chasse | 2009-09-09 |
 |
Edmond | Fortune Teller | 2006-07-14 |
 |
Ring Around the Rosie | Nanna | 2006-03-21 |
 |
Annie's Point | Older Woman | 2005-01-22 |
 |
In the Land of Milk and Money | Grandma Shallot | 2004-01-01 |
 |
The Movie Hero | Wise Old Woman | 2003-03-08 |
 |
Kiss The Bride | 2002-10-16 | |
 |
Finder's Fee | Mrs. Darmsetter | 2001-06-19 |
|
Oh, Baby | Edna Winchester | 2001-09-03 |
 |
The Wedding Planner | Dottie | 2001-01-26 |
 |
Stranger Than Fiction | Mrs. Steiner | 2000-03-16 |
 |
The Operator | Mrs. Sloan | 2000-03-04 |
 |
The Simple Life of Noah Dearborn | Mrs. Lewis | 1999-05-09 |
 |
Inspector Gadget | Thelma | 1999-07-23 |
 |
Goodbye Lover | Old Woman | 1999-04-16 |
 |
Forever Love | Martha Craddock | 1998-09-27 |
 |
Krippendorf's Tribe | Edith Proxmire | 1998-02-27 |
 |
Changing Habits | Midge | 1997-05-20 |
 |
Sparkler | Raspy | 1997-10-01 |
 |
Rossini's Ghost | Rosalie | 1996-01-01 |
 |
Happy Gilmore | Grandma | 1996-02-16 |
 |
Never Too Late | Elisabeth Kronner | 1996-08-26 |
 |
In the Mouth of Madness | Mrs. Pickman | 1995-02-03 |
 |
The Paperboy | Mrs. Rosemont | 1994-11-16 |
 |
The Neighbor | Aunt Sylvia | 1993-11-03 |
 |
Grave Secrets: The Legacy of Hilltop Drive | Iva Ruth McKinney | 1992-03-03 |
 |
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me | Mrs. Tremond (Chalfont) | 1992-06-03 |
 |
Single White Female | Elderly Neighbor | 1992-08-14 |
 |
Inside Monkey Zetterland | Grandma | 1992-09-12 |
 |
Critters 3 | Mrs. Menges | 1991-12-11 |
 |
The Pit and the Pendulum | Esmeralda | 1991-06-27 |
 |
Wild at Heart | Madam | 1990-08-17 |
 |
Arachnophobia | Evelyn Metcalf | 1990-07-20 |
 |
The Grifters | Arizona Motel Clerk | 1990-08-08 |
 |
Class Cruise | Grandma | 1989-10-22 |
 |
The Karate Kid Part III | Mrs. Milo | 1989-06-16 |
 |
Twins | Mother Superior | 1988-12-09 |
 |
Big Top Pee-wee | Mrs. Haynes | 1988-07-22 |
 |
Medium Rare | Gertrude | 1987-03-04 |
 |
Nomads | Bertril | 1986-03-07 |
 |
Blue Velvet | Aunt Barbara | 1986-09-19 |
|
The Eagle and The Bear | 1985-03-03 | |
 |
Movers & Shakers | Betty Gritz | 1985-05-03 |
 |
Amos | Lydia | 1985-09-29 |
 |
Second Sight: A Love Story | Old Woman | 1984-03-13 |
 |
The Karate Kid | Lady with Dog | 1984-06-22 |
 |
Little Red Riding Hood | Granny | 1983-11-10 |
 |
A Rose for Emily | Miss Wyatt | 1983-10-01 |
 |
Private School | Birdie Fallmouth | 1983-06-29 |
 |
Wings | Mrs. Timmins | 1983-04-26 |
 |
Double Exposure | Old Woman | 1982-09-03 |
 |
Honky Tonk Freeway | Mrs. Lewenowski | 1981-08-21 |
 |
Amy | Mrs. Lindey | 1981-03-20 |
 |
Buddy Buddy | Female Patient | 1981-04-02 |
 |
A Whale for the Killing | 1981-02-01 | |
 |
Callie & Son | Mabel Simpson | 1981-01-01 |
 |
The Attic | Librarian | 1980-11-10 |
 |
Topper | Mrs. Quincy | 1979-11-09 |
 |
Chilly Scenes of Winter | Mrs. Delillo | 1979-10-19 |
 |
Foul Play | Mrs. Russel | 1978-07-14 |
