Bess Flowers
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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
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.
Born
Nov 23, 1898
Sherman, Texas, USA
Died
Jul 28, 1984
Known For
Acting
Movies
747 acting
0 crew
Popularity
0.6
Known For
Gone with the Wind
1939
as Hospital Nurse (uncredited)
Rear Window
1954
as Songwriter's Party Guest with Poodle (uncredited)
Vertigo
1958
as Diner at Ernie's (uncredited)
Witness for the Prosecution
1957
as Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
To Catch a Thief
1955
as Masquerade Party Guest (uncredited)
Singin' in the Rain
1952
as Audience Member (uncredited)
North by Northwest
1959
as Plaza Hotel Lounge Patron (uncredited)
Double Indemnity
1944
as Norton's Secretary (uncredited)
White Christmas
1954
as Club Patron (uncredited)
The Robe
1953
as Spectator at Caligula's court (uncredited)
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