Bess Flowers
Acting
Born: 1898-11-23 in Sherman, Texas, USA
Biography
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 when she appeared in Hollywood (1923). 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. From Wikipedia.
Known For
The Alfred Hitchcock Hour
Mrs. Pradanos
The Red Skelton Show
Restaurant Patron (uncredited)
Leave It to Beaver
Train Station Commuter #3
The Untouchables
Party Guest at Randall Estate (uncredited)
The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet
Theater Patron
Gone with the Wind
Hospital Nurse (uncredited)
Rear Window
Songwriter's Party Guest with Poodle (uncredited)
Mister Ed
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
Club Patron (uncredited)
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
Meeting Guest (uncredited)
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
Bookstore Customer (uncredited)
Singin' in the Rain
Audience Member (uncredited)
The Real McCoys
Vertigo
Diner at Ernie's (uncredited)
The Abbott and Costello Show
Restaurant Patron
Some Like It Hot
Party Guest (uncredited)
North by Northwest
Plaza Hotel Lounge Patron (uncredited)
Witness for the Prosecution
Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
Giant
Guest at Jeff Rink's Banquet (uncredited)
Dial M for Murder
Woman Exiting Ship (uncredited)
The Day the Earth Stood Still
Lady Outside Jewelry Store
Around the World in 80 Days
Extra (uncredited)
To Catch a Thief
Masquerade Party Guest (uncredited)
All About Eve
Sarah Siddons Awards Guest (uncredited)
Screen Director's Playhouse
Night Club Patron (uncredited)
The Big Sleep
Woman with Bumped Man
Double Indemnity
Norton's Secretary (uncredited)
Funny Face
Fashion Show Spectator
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
Notorious
Party Guest (uncredited)
Coronado 9
Susan Lenox
Dinner Guest (uncredited)
Sweet Smell of Success
Patron at 21 (uncredited)
The Seven Year Itch
Undetermined Secondary Role (uncredited)
It Happened One Night
Agnes (uncredited)
The Caine Mutiny
Nightclub patron (uncredited)
Man with a Camera
Party Guest (uncredited)
Going My Way
Wedding Guest (uncredited)
White Christmas
Club Patron (uncredited)