Bess Flowers

127 years old Sherman, Texas, USA

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Bess Flowers (November 23, 1898 – July 28, 1984) was an American actress. By some counts considered the most prolific actress in the history of Hollywood, she was known as "The Queen of the Hollywood Extras," appearing in over 700 movies in her 41 year career.

Born in Sherman, Texas, Flowers's film debut came in 1923, when she appeared in Hollywood. She made three films that year, and then began working extensively. Many of her appearances are uncredited, as she generally played non-speaking roles.

By the 1930s, Flowers was in constant demand. Her appearances ranged from Alfred Hitchcock and John Ford thrillers to comedic roles alongside of Charley Chase, the Three Stooges, Leon Errol, Edgar Kennedy, and Laurel and Hardy.

She appeared in the following five films which won the Academy Award for Best Picture: It Happened One Night, You Can't Take it with You, All About Eve, The Greatest Show on Earth, and Around the World in Eighty Days. In each of these movies, Flowers was uncredited. Including these five movies, she had appeared in twenty-three Best Picture nominees in total, making her the record holder for most appearances in films nominated for the award. Her last movie was Good Neighbor Sam in 1964.

Flowers's acting career was not confined to feature films. She was also seen in many episodic American TV series, such as I Love Lucy, notably in episodes, "Lucy Is Enceinte" (1952), "Ethel's Birthday" (1955), and "Lucy's Night in Town" (1957), where she is usually seen as a theatre patron.

Outside her acting career, in 1945, Bess Flowers helped to found the Screen Extras Guild (active: 1946-1992, then merged with SAG), where she served as one of its first vice-presidents and recording secretaries.

Recent movies

# Name Character Rating
1 Bedtime Story (1964) (uncredited) -
2 The Carpetbaggers (1964) Wedding Guest (uncredited) -
3 Who's Minding the Store? (1963) Shopper at Gourmet Department (uncredited) 5
4 The Prize (1963) Lady In Audience (uncredited) 7.7
5 Sweet Bird of Youth (1962) Spectator at Rally (uncredited) -
6 Two Weeks in Another Town (1962) Guest at Anniversary Banquet (uncredited) 6
7 The Manchurian Candidate (1962) Gomel's Lady Counterpart (uncredited) 6.5
8 The Absent-Minded Professor (1961) Wedding Guest (uncredited) 6.5
9 The Honeymoon Machine (1961) Bar Patron (uncredited) -
10 Pocketful of Miracles (1961) Pedestrian Entering Club (uncredited) -
11 Babes in Toyland (1961) Villager (uncredited) 5
12 Judgment at Nuremberg (1961) Concert Attendee (uncredited) 7.9
13 Blue Hawaii (1961) Restaurant Patron (uncredited) 7
14 Home from the Hill (1960) Party Guest (uncredited) 4
15 The Facts of Life (1960) Lady at Airport (uncredited) -
16 The Lost World (1960) Guest at Zoological Institute Forum (uncredited) -
17 G.I. Blues (1960) Cafe Europa patron (uncredited) 7
18 Song Without End (1960) (uncredited) 2
19 North by Northwest (1959) Plaza Hotel Lounge Patron (uncredited) 8.4
20 Imitation of Life (1959) Geraldine Moore (uncredited) 9.7
21 Houseboat (1958) Wedding Guest 4.5
22 A Night to Remember (1958) Steerage Passenger (uncredited) 8
23 Vertigo (1958) Diner at Ernie's (uncredited) 7.9
24 The Buccaneer (1958) Party Guest -
25 Merry Andrew (1958) Wedding Guest (uncredited) 5.5
26 I Married a Monster from Outer Space (1958) Wedding Guest (uncredited) 4
27 The Fly (1958) Audience Member (uncredited) 6.9
28 Designing Woman (1957) Fashion Show Guest (uncredited) -
29 Funny Face (1957) Fashion Show Spectator 6.2
30 Witness for the Prosecution (1957) Courtroom Spectator (uncredited) 8.1
31 The Tarnished Angels (1957) Newspaper Office Clerk (uncredited) 7
32 Sweet Smell of Success (1957) Patron at 21 (uncredited) 6.7
33 The She-Creature (1956) Party Guest 2.5
34 Written on the Wind (1956) Restaurant Patron (uncredited) 7.5
35 Giant (1956) Guest at Jeff Rink's Banquet 6.4
36 Anything Goes (1956) Ship Passenger (uncredited) -
37 Accused of Murder (1956) Nightclub Patron (uncredited) 4
38 Nightfall (1956) Woman at Fashion Show (uncredited) 5
39 These Wilder Years (1956) Lounge Patron (uncredited) 6
40 The Eddy Duchin Story (1956) Party Guest at Central Park Casino (uncredited) 5
41 Around the World in 80 Days (1956) Extra (uncredited) 7.4
42 Hell's Island (1955) Casino Patron (uncredited) 7
43 I'll Cry Tomorrow (1955) Restaurant Patron (uncredited) -
44 Guys and Dolls (1955) Spectator at Hot Box Club (uncredited) 6.3
45 To Catch a Thief (1955) Masquerade Party Guest (uncredited) 6.9
46 Interrupted Melody (1955) Party Guest (uncredited) -
47 Abbott and Costello Meet the Keystone Kops (1955) Dancer in Restaurant scene (uncredited) 6
48 Illegal (1955) Diner at Bar of Justice Restaurant (uncredited) 2
49 The Human Jungle (1954) Dining Patron 5
50 The Country Girl (1954) Restaurant Patron (uncredited) 4
51 Executive Suite (1954) Woman at Bar (uncredited) 3
52 The Long Wait (1954) Woman in Gambling House (uncredited) 7
53 The Caine Mutiny (1954) Nightclub patron (uncredited) 8
54 A Star Is Born (1954) Academy Awards Attendee (uncredited) 5.2
55 Rear Window (1954) Songwriter's Party Guest with Poodle (uncredited) 8.3
56 Dial M for Murder (1954) Woman Exiting Ship (uncredited) 7.8
57 White Christmas (1954) Club Patron (uncredited) 7.2
58 Call Me Madam (1953) Lady Seated Behind Duchess (uncredited) 3
59 Scared Stiff (1953) Nightclub Patron (uncredited) 7
60 A Blueprint for Murder (1953) Maggie's Friend at Club (uncredited) 6.5
61 No Escape (1953) Department Store Shopper 4
62 The Bigamist (1953) Bus passenger 5
63 Niagara (1953) Undetermined Secondary Role (uncredited) 8.5
64 The Robe (1953) Spectator at Caligula's court (uncredited) -
65 The Story of Three Loves (1953) Woman in hotel bar 5
66 Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953) Nightclub Patron (uncredited) 6.8
67 Dangerous Crossing (1953) Ship's Passenger (uncredited) 6
68 The Maze (1953) - 8
69 The Caddy (1953) Guest at country club (uncredited) 7
70 Calamity Jane (1953) Officer's Wife in Reception Line (uncredited) 7
71 The Band Wagon (1953) Train Passenger (uncredited) 5.7
72 Singin' in the Rain (1952) Audience Member (uncredited) 8.1
73 Deadline - U.S.A. (1952) Restaurant Patron (uncredited) 7.5
74 Sudden Fear (1952) Party Guest (uncredited) 5
75 The Bad and the Beautiful (1952) Joe's Friend at Party (uncredited) 8
76 Don't Bother to Knock (1952) Woman at Awards Dinner (uncredited) 6.5
77 The Greatest Show on Earth (1952) Spectator (uncredited) 4
78 The Narrow Margin (1952) Restaurant Diner (uncredited) 7
79 An American in Paris (1951) Ballet Dancer (uncredited) 5
80 Show Boat (1951) Racetrack Spectator (uncredited) -
81 On the Riviera (1951) Lady Watching TV at Nightclub Bar (uncredited) 8
82 A Place in the Sun (1951) Courtroom Reporter (uncredited) 5
83 The Unknown Man (1951) Cocktail Party Guest (uncredited) 4
84 The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951) Lady Outside Jewelry Store 7.9
85 People Will Talk (1951) Concertgoer (uncredited) 7.5
86 His Kind of Woman (1951) Lodge Guest (uncredited) 7
87 Home Town Story (1951) Patron at Barbecue Room (uncredited) -
88 The Great Caruso (1951) Front Row Audience Member at 'Lucia di Lammermoor' (uncredited) -
89 Operation Pacific (1951) Nightclub Patron (uncredited) -
90 No Questions Asked (1951) Woman in Theatre Powder Room 7
91 Payment on Demand (1951) Restaurant Birthday Party Attendee -
92 Louisa (1950) Wedding Guest in Park (uncredited) -
93 Born to Be Bad (1950) Mrs. Worthington 4
94 A Life of Her Own (1950) Cocktail Lounge Patron (uncredited) -
95 To Please a Lady (1950) Racetrack Spectator (uncredited) 10
96 No Man of Her Own (1950) Country Club Patron (uncredited) 7
97 Shakedown (1950) Party Guest (uncredited) 6
98 The Second Woman (1950) Fiesta Guest 6
99 In a Lonely Place (1950) Restaurant Patron at Paul's 7.3
100 Father of the Bride (1950) Wedding Reception Guest (uncredited) 8
101 Ma and Pa Kettle Go to Town (1950) Party Guest (uncredited) -
102 All About Eve (1950) Sarah Siddons Awards Guest (uncredited) 8.1
103 Edge of Doom (1950) Flower Shop Customer (uncredited) 4
104 Walk Softly, Stranger (1950) New Year's Celebrant (uncredited) 5
105 The Damned Don't Cry (1950) Restaurant Patron (uncredited) 6
106 Champagne for Caesar (1950) Backstage Woman at Hollywood Bowl 6
107 Neptune's Daughter (1949) Woman at Swim Suit Show (uncredited) -
108 Mighty Joe Young (1949) Nightclub patron (uncredited) 7
109 Alias Nick Beal (1949) Woman at Press Conference 5
110 The File on Thelma Jordon (1949) Dinner Party Guest (uncredited) 6
111 The Accused (1949) Court Deputy (uncredited) 6
112 You're My Everything (1949) Woman at Premiere (uncredited) -
113 My Friend Irma (1949) Gypsy Tea Room Diner (uncredited) -
114 Beyond the Forest (1949) Secretary 6
115 It's a Great Feeling (1949) Studio Party Guest (uncredited) 4
116 To the Ends of the Earth (1948) Ship Passenger (uncredited) 4
117 Whiplash (1948) Patron at Pelican Club 4
118 The Noose Hangs High (1948) Fainting Psychiatrist's Patient (uncredited) 6.5
119 Sleep, My Love (1948) Miss Miller 4
120 The Big Clock (1948) Woman in Conference Room (uncredited) 4
121 The Velvet Touch (1948) Party Guest (uncredited) 4
122 Parole, Inc. (1948) Mary - Nurse 5
123 A Double Life (1947) Theater Patron (uncredited) 5
124 Humoresque (1947) Party Guest / Concert Attendee (uncredited) 5
125 Nora Prentiss (1947) Nightclub Patron (uncredited) 5
126 Song of the Thin Man (1947) Jessica Thayar 9
127 The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (1947) Illustrator (uncredited) 5.3
128 The Flame (1947) Woman in Hotel Lobby 5
129 The Farmer's Daughter (1947) Party Guest (uncredited) -
130 The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer (1947) Nightclub Patron (uncredited) 8
131 The Unsuspected (1947) Party Guest (uncredited) 7
132 I Walk Alone (1947) Nightclub Patron (uncredited) 6
133 Ivy (1947) Set Rehearsal (uncredited) 6
134 Her Kind of Man (1946) Patron at Georgia King Club (uncredited) 6
135 The Blue Dahlia (1946) Coctail Party Guest (uncredited) 6
136 Deception (1946) Wedding Guest Ringing Glass (uncredited) 5
137 The Jolson Story (1946) Woman in Audience/Nightclub Patron (uncredited) -
138 The Locket (1946) Wedding Guest (uncredited) 3
139 The Razor's Edge (1946) Country Club Party Guest 6
140 Undercurrent (1946) Julia Donnegan (uncredited) 5
141 Notorious (1946) Party Guest (uncredited) 7.6
142 Dead Reckoning (1946) Nightclub Guest (uncredited) 6
143 The Big Sleep (1946) Woman with Bumped Man 7.2
144 The Kid from Brooklyn (1946) Fight Spectator (uncredited) 5
145 The Dark Mirror (1946) Nightclub Patron (uncredited) 4
146 Gilda (1946) Gambler at Roulette Table (uncredited) 6.4
147 The Chase (1946) Woman sitting at bar at Florida Club 4
148 Till the Clouds Roll By (1946) Backstage Well-Wisher (uncredited) -
149 My Reputation (1946) Guest at Van Ormans' New Year's Eve Party / Party Guest (uncredited) 2.5
150 Conflict (1945) Guest at Rainbow Lodge (uncredited) 4
151 Mildred Pierce (1945) Restaurant Patron (uncredited) 6.6
152 Week-End at the Waldorf (1945) Guest at Starlight Roof (uncredited) -
153 The Woman in Green (1945) Bar Patron (seen in mirror) (uncredited) 6
154 Zombies on Broadway (1945) Nightclub Patron -
155 Wonder Man (1945) Pelican Club Extra / Opera Patron (uncredited) 8.5
156 It Happened Tomorrow (1944) Anniversary Party Guest (uncredited) 7
157 Hollywood Canteen (1944) Hostess (uncredited) -
158 Laura (1944) Restaurant Patron (uncredited) 7.1
159 Mr. Skeffington (1944) Mrs. Thatcher 6
160 In Society (1944) Party Guest (uncredited) -
161 The Mummy's Ghost (1944) Townswoman (uncredited) 7
162 The Woman in the Window (1944) Bar Patron (uncredited) 6
163 Phantom Lady (1944) Courtroom Spectator (uncredited) 6
164 Hail the Conquering Hero (1944) Woman at Train Station (uncredited) 3
165 Pin Up Girl (1944) Patron at Club Diplomacy (uncredited) 4
166 Double Indemnity (1944) Norton's Secretary (uncredited) 8.1
167 The Lodger (1944) Woman in Audience 2
168 Heaven Can Wait (1943) Party Guest (uncredited) 6
169 Flesh and Fantasy (1943) Circus Spectator (uncredited) 4
170 Sweet Rosie O'Grady (1943) Diner at Delmonico's (uncredited) -
171 Crazy House (1943) Nightclub Patron -
172 Coney Island (1943) Society Patron at Ocean Gardens -
173 The Mad Ghoul (1943) Woman in Audience (uncredited) 6
174 Old Acquaintance (1943) Club Patron (uncredited) 5
175 The Magnificent Dope (1942) Birthday Party Guest (uncredited) -
176 The Mad Doctor of Market Street (1942) Ship Passenger 5
177 Now, Voyager (1942) Concert Audience Member (uncredited) 5.5
178 My Gal Sal (1942) Lady Dancing at Party -
179 The Big Street (1942) Nightclub Patron (uncredited) 5
180 The Glass Key (1942) Henrys' Dinner Guest (uncredited) 7
181 The Palm Beach Story (1942) Gerry's Maid of Honor/Nightclub Extra (uncredited) 7
182 I Married a Witch (1942) Matron of Honor (uncredited) 8.5
183 Springtime in the Rockies (1942) Mrs. Jeepers (uncredited) -
184 Thunder Birds (1942) Nurse -
185 The Major and the Minor (1942) Ball Guest (uncredited) 7.3
186 The Lady Eve (1941) Party Guest (uncredited) 7
187 Penny Serenade (1941) Mother (uncredited) 4
188 Three Girls About Town (1941) Mortician's Wife 8
189 I Wake Up Screaming (1941) Lady Handel's party guest (uncredited) 5
190 Blood and Sand (1941) Dinner Guest (uncredited) 4
191 The Devil and Miss Jones (1941) Saleslady (uncredited) 5
192 Hellzapoppin' (1941) Audience Extra (uncredited) 6
193 The Man Who Came to Dinner (1941) Fan at Train Station (uncredited) 6
194 Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1941) Minor Role (uncredited) 6.8
195 Meet John Doe (1941) Mattie (uncredited) 7.3
196 Dance, Girl, Dance (1940) Nightclub Patron (uncredited) 6
197 Angels Over Broadway (1940) Nightclub Patron (uncredited) 5
198 They Drive by Night (1940) Party Guest (uncredited) 5
199 Broadway Melody of 1940 (1940) Nightclub Patron (uncredited) 6
200 Tin Pan Alley (1940) Nightclub Guest (uncredited) 4
201 Arise, My Love (1940) Dance Extra at Maxim's (uncredited) 5
202 Man About Town (1939) Spectator Behind Lady Arlington (uncredited) -
203 Love Affair (1939) Ship Passenger (uncredited) 4
204 Gone with the Wind (1939) Hospital Nurse (uncredited) 7.6
205 The Roaring Twenties (1939) Nightclub Patron (uncredited) 6
206 Ninotchka (1939) Gossip (uncredited) 5.7
207 Midnight (1939) Flammarions' Party Guest / Stephanie's Party Guest (uncredited) 6.5
208 Eternally Yours (1939) Nightclub Extra (uncredited) 4
209 In Old Chicago (1938) Woman with Colby (uncredited) 6
210 The Great Waltz (1938) (uncredited) 5
211 Holiday (1938) Party Guest (uncredited) 6.5
212 You Can't Take It with You (1938) Martin's Neighbor in Courtroom (uncredited) 6.7
213 Topper (1937) Patron at Rainbow Club (uncredited) 5.7
214 It's Love I'm After (1937) Theatre Patron (uncredited) 5
215 A Day at the Races (1937) Racetrack Spectator (uncredited) 6
216 Make Way for Tomorrow (1937) Hotel Dining Room Guest (uncredited) 5.7
217 One Hundred Men and a Girl (1937) Party Guest at Mrs. Frost's 5
218 The Awful Truth (1937) Viola Heath (uncredited) 5
219 Nothing Sacred (1937) Nightclub Extra (uncredited) 6
220 Craig's Wife (1936) Nightclub Patron (uncredited) 6
221 The Prisoner of Shark Island (1936) Woman Sitting Behind Lincoln in Theatre Box (uncredited) 4
222 The Gorgeous Hussy (1936) Guest at the ball 5
223 My Man Godfrey (1936) Mrs. Merriweather (uncredited) 6.4
224 Camille (1936) Party Guest (uncredited) 8
225 Anything Goes (1936) Passenger on Ship (uncredited) -
226 Anthony Adverse (1936) Nun 4
227 Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936) (uncredited) 5.8
228 Dodsworth (1936) Ship Passenger (uncredited) 5.5
229 If You Could Only Cook (1935) Laura (uncredited) 8
230 Thicker Than Water (1935) Nurse (uncredited) 10
231 A Feather in Her Hat (1935) Theatergoer Backstage (uncredited) 7
232 Les Misérables (1935) Trial Spectator (uncredited) 4
233 Old Man Rhythm (1935) Miss Martin, Robert's Secretary -
234 Goin' to Town (1935) Nightclub Extra 5
235 A Night at the Opera (1935) Ship Passenger (uncredited) 7.3
236 The Thin Man (1934) Nick's Party Guest (uncredited) 8.5
237 It Happened One Night (1934) Agnes (uncredited) 8.1
238 The St. Louis Kid (1934) Telephone Operator (uncredited) -
239 Success at Any Price (1934) Secretary -
240 Wild Boys of the Road (1933) Movie Theater Patron (uncredited) 8
241 Dinner at Eight (1933) Lucy (uncredited) 6
242 Hard to Handle (1933) Merrill's Secretary (uncredited) 4
243 42nd Street (1933) Chorus Girl (uncredited) 5.5
244 Blonde Venus (1932) (uncredited) 7
245 One Hour with You (1932) Party Guest (uncredited) 6.5
246 Grand Hotel (1932) Hotel Guest (uncredited) 6.5
247 Monkey Business (1931) Indian's Wife at Party 6
248 Ten Cents a Dance (1931) Bridge Player 1
249 Possessed (1931) Party Guest (uncredited) 6
250 A Free Soul (1931) Birthday Party Guest (uncredited) -
251 Monte Carlo (1930) Bridesmaid / Opera Chorus Singer (uncredited) 3
252 Untamed (1929) Manicurist 5
253 Show People (1928) (uncredited) 5.5
254 Old Ironsides (1926) (uncredited) 6
255 A Woman of Paris: A Drama of Fate (1923) Mannequin (uncredited) 4