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.
Recent movies
| # | Name | Character | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Happy Gilmore 2 (2025) | Grandma (archive footage) | 5.8 |
| 2 | Twin Peaks: The Missing Pieces (2014) | Mrs. Tremond (Chalfont) | 6.8 |
| 3 | Blue Velvet: The Lost Footage (2011) | Aunt Barbara | - |
| 4 | Repo Chick (2009) | Granma De La Chasse | 1 |
| 5 | Edmond (2006) | Fortune Teller | 5.3 |
| 6 | Annie's Point (2005) | Older Woman | 7 |
| 7 | The Movie Hero (2003) | Wise Old Woman | - |
| 8 | Kiss The Bride (2002) | - | - |
| 9 | The Wedding Planner (2001) | Dottie | 5.8 |
| 10 | Finder's Fee (2001) | Mrs. Darmsetter | 6 |
| 11 | The Operator (2000) | Mrs. Sloan | - |
| 12 | Stranger Than Fiction (2000) | Mrs. Steiner | - |
| 13 | Inspector Gadget (1999) | Thelma | 5.1 |
| 14 | Goodbye Lover (1999) | Old Woman | - |
| 15 | Krippendorf's Tribe (1998) | Edith Proxmire | 4 |
| 16 | Sparkler (1997) | Raspy | - |
| 17 | Happy Gilmore (1996) | Grandma | 7.2 |
| 18 | In the Mouth of Madness (1995) | Mrs. Pickman | 7.5 |
| 19 | The Neighbor (1993) | Aunt Sylvia | - |
| 20 | Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (1992) | Mrs. Tremond (Chalfont) | 7.5 |
| 21 | Single White Female (1992) | Elderly Neighbor | 6.8 |
| 22 | The Pit and the Pendulum (1991) | Esmeralda | 7.3 |
| 23 | Critters 3 (1991) | Mrs. Menges | 5.8 |
| 24 | Wild at Heart (1990) | Madam | 6.8 |
| 25 | The Grifters (1990) | Arizona Motel Clerk | 6.3 |
| 26 | Arachnophobia (1990) | Evelyn Metcalf | 6.8 |
| 27 | The Karate Kid Part III (1989) | Mrs. Milo | 5.1 |
| 28 | Big Top Pee-wee (1988) | Mrs. Haynes | 5.3 |
| 29 | Twins (1988) | Mother Superior | 5.9 |
| 30 | Nomads (1986) | Bertril | - |
| 31 | Blue Velvet (1986) | Aunt Barbara | 7.4 |
| 32 | The Karate Kid (1984) | Lady with Dog | 7.1 |
| 33 | Private School (1983) | Birdie Fallmouth | - |
| 34 | Little Red Riding Hood (1983) | Granny | - |
| 35 | Double Exposure (1982) | Old Woman | 6 |
| 36 | Amy (1981) | Mrs. Lindey | 7 |
| 37 | Murder in Texas (1981) | Myra Hill | - |
| 38 | Buddy Buddy (1981) | Female Patient | 4 |
| 39 | Chilly Scenes of Winter (1979) | Mrs. Delillo | 6 |
| 40 | Foul Play (1978) | Mrs. Russel | 5.5 |
