Bess Flowers

Bess Flowers

1898-11-23

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.

Also appears in

Accused of Murder

Accused of Murder

4.5

The Lodger

The Lodger

6.3

People Will Talk

People Will Talk

7.1

Désirée

Désirée

6.4

Song of the Thin Man

Song of the Thin Man

6.8

A Stolen Life

A Stolen Life

6.4

The Great Jewel Robber

The Great Jewel Robber

7.2

Home from the Hill

Home from the Hill

6.8

Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras

5.6

The Prowler

The Prowler

6.8

Angel Face

Angel Face

7.1

Topper

Topper

6.7

Nothing Sacred

Nothing Sacred

6.2

Abbott and Costello Meet the Keystone Kops

Abbott and Costello Meet the Keystone Kops

6.1

Hail the Conquering Hero

Hail the Conquering Hero

7.0

Mr. Skeffington

Mr. Skeffington

6.7

The Heavenly Body

The Heavenly Body

5.7

Scared Stiff

Scared Stiff

6.4

The Palm Beach Story

The Palm Beach Story

7.0

Go Naked in the World

Go Naked in the World

5.0