Bess Flowers | WatchedThis

Bess Flowers

Bess Flowers

Acting

Biography

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 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 in 1923, when she appeared in Hollywood. 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.

Filmography Movies

Acting

Poster for North by Northwest
MOVIE

North by Northwest

8.0(4.5K)
North by Northwest
Plaza Hotel Lounge Patron (uncredited)
Poster for Pocketful of Miracles
MOVIE

Pocketful of Miracles

7.3(0.2K)
Pocketful of Miracles
Pedestrian Entering Club (uncredited)
Poster for To Catch a Thief
MOVIE

To Catch a Thief

7.3(1.7K)
To Catch a Thief
Masquerade Party Guest (uncredited)
Poster for Vertigo
MOVIE

Vertigo

8.1(6.3K)
Vertigo
Diner at Ernie's (uncredited)
Poster for Dial M for Murder
MOVIE

Dial M for Murder

8.0(2.8K)
Dial M for Murder
Woman Exiting Ship (uncredited)
Poster for Rear Window
MOVIE

Rear Window

8.3(7.1K)
Rear Window
Songwriter's Party Guest with Poodle (uncredited)
Poster for Houseboat
MOVIE

Houseboat

6.4(0.2K)
Houseboat
Wedding Guest
Poster for Judgment at Nuremberg
MOVIE

Judgment at Nuremberg

8.0(0.9K)
Judgment at Nuremberg
Concert Attendee (uncredited)
Poster for The Day the Earth Stood Still
MOVIE

The Day the Earth Stood Still

7.5(1.2K)
The Day the Earth Stood Still
Lady Outside Jewelry Store
Poster for Theodora Goes Wild
MOVIE

Theodora Goes Wild

6.6(0.1K)
Theodora Goes Wild
Guest at Governor's Reception (uncredited)

Gallery

Bess Flowers portrait