Cute, tiny, and prolific little old lady character actress Frances Bay worked constantly in both films and TV shows alike after making her debut at the age of 59 in life with a small part in the comedy _Foul Play 's "Idiot Boyfriend." In addition to her substantial movie and TV credits, Bay also acted in both Off-Broadway stage productions and regional theater; these plays include "Finnegan's Wake," "Grease," "Genuis," "The Caucasion Chalk Circle," "Number Our Days," "Uncommon Women," "Sarcophagus," and "The Pleasure of His Company." Frances won two DramaLogue Awards and was nominated for a Los Angeles Dramatic Critics' Award. In 2002 Bay was the unfortunate victim of an automobile accident which resulted in having part of her right leg amputated. Her husband Charles sadly died in 2002 as well. In real life Frances Bay was a very practical and unassuming woman with an avid love for jazz music.
Hospitalized as the result of being struck by a car in Glendale, CA, on November 21st, 2002. As a result of the accident, she has had part of her right leg amputated and had to walk with a prosthetic right leg.
Sister of renowned sociologist, Erving Goffman (1922 - 1982), the author of The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life..
Inducted into Canadas Walk of Fame in 2008.
Her son, Eli Joshua Bay, passed away at the age of 23. Born in Canada on March 14, 1947, he died in Duval County Florida on June 6, 1970.
Studied acting with Uta Hagen in New York City.
Frances Bay died at Providence Tarzana Medical Center in Tarzana (Los Angeles). She had been ill with various infections. In keeping with her Jewish faith, Bay was buried within 24 hours at Mount Sinai Memorial Park in Los Angeles, CA.
She began her career as a radio actress but took a long break from the business after marrying and having a son, who died in his 20s.
Her parents were Ukrainian Jewish immigrants.
