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