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Frances Bay

Frances Bay

Actor · Died September 15, 2011, aged 92 · 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.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
January 23, 1919
Died
September 15, 2011 (aged 92)
From
Dauphin, Manitoba, Canada
Works as
Actor
Titles
66 on MovieCove · 115 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 38 days to Oct 27Down 36% in 30 days

What are Frances Bay's films like?

Across their 17 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Self and Bonds.

Genres

Drama9 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 64th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Comedy4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 51st percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Crime2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 54th percentile
: browse their Crime movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Self
35%
Bonds
23%
Survival
15%
Morality
11%
Ideas
8%
Power
5%
Society
2%
Purpose5 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds4 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity4 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love3 titles, browse their movies with this themeTruth3 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth3 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception3 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 17 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 9 · Serious 2 · Dark 6

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 10 · Stylized 4 · Heightened 3

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 5 · Charged 7 · Intense 5

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 6 · Shifting 6 · Whiplash 5

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 9 · Some laughs 5 · Funny 3

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 6 · Even-paced 9 · Relentless 2

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

A split, not a type: Casual 9 · Engaged 4 · Full focus 4

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 6 · Affecting 4 · Heavy 7

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 11 · Open-ended 3 · Ambiguous 3

Roles they play

2 analyzed roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
7
Dread
7
Warm
5
Hopeful
5
Absurd
6
Other
14

How their films linger

Feel-good8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 6 with a twist

  • Happy6
  • Bittersweet6
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous4

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Frances Bay's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 51 of their 66 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (22).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Frances Bay's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

115 credits, 66 with a MovieCove page.

  • Twin Peaks: The Missing Pieces (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Mrs. Tremond (Chalfont)

  • Blue Velvet: The Lost Footage (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as Aunt Barbara

  • Pickin' and Grinnin' (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as Grandma Johnson

  • Bare Knuckles (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as Rosie Mcintyre

  • The Middle(2009)

    Show 11 episodes · as Aunt Ginny

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all shows

  • Repo Chick (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Granma De La Chasse

  • Edmond(2005)

    as Fortune Teller

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • Hannah Montana(2006)

    Show 1 episode · as Cathy

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all shows

  • Ring Around the Rosie(2006)

    as Nanna

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • Annie's Point(2005)

    as Older Woman

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • In the Land of Milk and Money (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Grandma Shallot

  • The Movie Hero (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Wise Old Woman

  • Kiss the Bride(2002)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Presidio Med (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as Joan Hart

  • Bob Patterson (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Laurie Evans

  • Oh, Baby (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Edna Winchester

  • Finder's Fee(2001)

    as Mrs. Darmsetter

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • My Wife and Kids(2000)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • The Wedding Planner(2001)

    as Dottie

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • Stranger Than Fiction (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Mrs. Steiner

  • The Operator (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Mrs. Sloan

  • Inspector Gadget(1999)

    as Thelma

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • The Simple Life of Noah Dearborn(1999)

    as Mrs. Lewis

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all films

  • Goodbye Lover(1998)

    as Old Woman

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Charmed(1998)

    Show 1 episode · as Old Phoebe

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows

  • Da Vinci's Inquest (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Forever Love(1998)

    as Martha Craddock

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • The Hughleys (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 9 episodes · as Mrs. Fitch

  • Krippendorf's Tribe(1998)

    as Edith Proxmire

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • Style & Substance (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 1 episode · as Elizabeth Hadley

  • Sparkler(1997)

    as Raspy

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Mildred Grayson (segment "The Gift")

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all shows

  • Changing Habits (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Midge

  • Clueless (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Suddenly Susan(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Mrs. Tidgely

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all shows

  • Never Too Late (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Elisabeth Kronner

  • Happy Gilmore(1996)

    as Grandma

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Rossini's Ghost (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Rosalie

  • In the Mouth of Madness(1994)

    as Mrs. Pickman

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • The Paperboy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Mrs. Rosemont

  • The 5 Mrs. Buchanans (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • ER(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Georgia

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • The Neighbor (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Aunt Sylvia

  • Dave's World (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Daisy

  • The X-Files(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Dorothy

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Inside Monkey Zetterland (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Grandma

  • Single White Female(1992)

    as Elderly Neighbor

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me(1992)

    as Mrs. Tremond (Chalfont)

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

  • Grave Secrets: The Legacy of Hilltop Drive(1992)

    as Iva Ruth McKinney

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Critters 3(1991)

    as Mrs. Menges

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

  • The Commish(1991)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all shows

  • Pacific Station (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Show 1 episode · as Celia Linder

  • The Pit and the Pendulum(1991)

    as Esmeralda

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • Amazing Stories: The Movie II (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Mrs. Santa Claus

  • True Colors (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Show 1 episode · as Tante Sylvia

  • Wild at Heart(1990)

    as Madam

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • The Grifters(1990)

    as Arizona Motel Clerk

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • Arachnophobia(1990)

    as Evelyn Metcalf

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Twin Peaks(1990)

    Show 1 episode · as Mrs. Tremond

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Class Cruise (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Grandma

  • Alien Nation(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as Mrs. Gillirue

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all shows

  • Seinfeld(1989)

    Show 5 episodes · as Mabel Choate

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • The Karate Kid Part III(1989)

    as Mrs. Milo

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Tales from the Crypt(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as Witch

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • Quantum Leap(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as Millie Reynolds

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • Father Dowling Mysteries (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as Victoria's Grandmother

  • Twins(1988)

    as Mother Superior

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Police Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Show 1 episode · as Mary

  • Big Top Pee-wee(1988)

    as Mrs. Haynes

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • The Oldest Rookie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Medium Rare (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Gertrude

  • Sidekicks (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • ALF(1986)

    Show 1 episode · as Louise Beaumont

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all shows

  • Blue Velvet(1986)

    as Aunt Barbara

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • L.A. Law(1986)

    Show 1 episode · as Marian McConnell

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all shows

  • Nomads(1986)

    as Bertril

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • Matlock(1986)

    Show 1 episode · as Rose Hayes · as Samantha Bergstrom

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all shows

  • Amazing Stories(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as Mrs Claus

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all shows

  • Amos (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Lydia

  • The Golden Girls(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as Claire

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • Movers & Shakers(1985)

    as Betty Gritz

    Midcredits score: 4th percentile of all films

  • The Eagle and The Bear (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Actor

  • Murder, She Wrote(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Sarah McCoy

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • Hunter(1984)

    Show 2 episodes · as Emma Parsons · as Mrs. Laskey

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all shows

  • E/R (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Karate Kid(1984)

    as Lady with Dog

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • Second Sight: A Love Story(1984)

    as Old Woman

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • Little Red Riding Hood (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Granny

  • A Rose for Emily (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Miss Wyatt

  • Private School(1983)

    as Birdie Fallmouth

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Wings (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Mrs. Timmins

  • St. Elsewhere (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Mrs. Renninger

  • Newhart (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Remington Steele(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Mother Trust

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all shows

  • Cheers(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Mrs. Brubaker

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • Family Ties(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Mrs. Florence Menlo

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all shows

  • Faerie Tale Theatre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Granny

  • Double Exposure(1982)

    as Old Woman

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • Cagney & Lacey(1981)

    Show 1 episode · as Edna Kiss

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all shows

  • T.J. Hooker(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Mrs. Greene

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all shows

  • American Playhouse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Mrs. Timmins

  • Fame (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Simon & Simon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • Honky Tonk Freeway(1981)

    as Mrs. Lewenowski

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Buddy Buddy(1981)

    as Female Patient

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • Amy(1981)

    as Mrs. Lindey

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • A Whale for the Killing (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Actor

  • Hill Street Blues(1981)

    Show 1 episode · as Elizabeth Mies

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • Callie & Son(1981)

    as Mabel Simpson

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • The Attic (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    as Librarian

  • Topper (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    as Mrs. Quincy

  • Chilly Scenes of Winter(1979)

    as Mrs. Delillo

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Hart to Hart (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Show 1 episode · as Flower Vendor

  • Foul Play(1978)

    as Mrs. Russel

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • Happy Days(1974)

    Show 2 episodes · as Grandma Nussbaum

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all shows

Career shape

Star power in the 97th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 115 titles from 1974 to 2014; peak year 1991.

Biggest box office

Single White Female (1992)

$48M worldwide

Highest rated

Blue Velvet (1986)

Midcredits 96th

Most popular right now

Happy Gilmore (1996)

Film career

19742014

Peak 1991 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 1 MovieCove title. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting115 of 115: 115 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score59th

By decade

1970s5 · acting1980s51 · acting1990s38 · acting2000s17 · acting2010s4 · acting

Billing

usually 12th · top billed in 0% of 31 roles
788393

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Frances Bay's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 48th percentile, the median of all 38; across their 17 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 60th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

60thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 17

Approval · how many liked their films

62ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 17

Reach · how many have seen their films

79thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 17

Midcredits score across 66 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up20
  • 50th to 74th21
  • 25th to 49th12
  • Below 25th13

Shape of the crowd

30 of their 66 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved8
  • Universally Panned2
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser30
  • Broadly Agreed2
  • Mixed23

Most divisive · actor

Sparkler (1997)

77th percentile spread · 27% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Seinfeld (1989)

Midcredits 97th · 90% liked

Reviewers score the acting 71/100 in their films, across 17 reviewed titles; fans 80, detractors 48. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Frances Bay's work okay for kids?

Across up to 8 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore, profanity and frightening / intense run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore6 titles40–80 · median 60 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity8 titles19–78 · median 41 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity7 titles42–93 · median 62 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs6 titles18–57 · median 36 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense6 titles26–86 · median 51 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Frances Bay work with?

People who share at least 2 of Frances Bay's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Michael Switzer shares the most, 2.

Directors

Actors