
Bess Flowers
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.
730
Films
13
TV Shows
Known For
743 Credits
The Alfred Hitchcock Hour
as Mrs. Pradanos
1962

The Red Skelton Show
as Restaurant Patron (uncredited)
1951

Leave It to Beaver
as Train Station Commuter #3
1957

The Real McCoys
1957

The Shining Hour
as Nurse (uncredited)
1938

Alfred Hitchcock Presents
as Club Patron (uncredited)
1955

Alfred Hitchcock Presents
as Meeting Guest (uncredited)
1955

Alfred Hitchcock Presents
as Bookstore Customer (uncredited)
1955

Mister Ed
1961

Gone with the Wind
as Hospital Nurse (uncredited)
1939

The Abbott and Costello Show
as Restaurant Patron
1952

Screen Director's Playhouse
as Night Club Patron (uncredited)
1955