Frances Bay, Adam Sandler's Happy Gilmore Grandma, Dies at 92

Character actress also famous for roles in Seinfeld and Happy Days passed away yesterday

By Bruna Nessif Sep 17, 2011 2:00 AMTags

Frances Bay, who made fans of all ages laugh with quirky roles as Adam Sandler's grandma in Happy Gilmore and the woman whom Jerry stole a marble rye from on Seinfeld, died Thursday at a Tarzana hospital, according to the Los Angeles Times. She was 92 and had been ill with various infections, according to a family member.

The Canadian actress, born Frances Goffman, spent much of her life at home being a housewife, until her dream of being in the spotlight came true in her mid-fifties.

Jeremy Montemagni/FilmMagic

Bay's first film role was a small part in the 1978 caper comedy Foul Play, starring Goldie Hawn and Chevy Chase. A year earlier, she appeared as Mrs. Hamilton in the TV Christmas special Christmastime with Mister Rogers. She moved on to small roles in films like The Karate Kid, Big Top Pee-wee and Twins.

Her big television break was on Happy Days, when Bay took on the role of the Fonz's grandmother, but she scored a new generation of fans in 1996 when she forgot to pay her taxes and her hockey-loving grandson had to go golfing to save her house.

Most recently, she appeared multiple times as Aunt Ginny in the ABC sitcom The Middle.