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 Flowerss 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 nonspeaking 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 Cant 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 twentythree 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 Flowerss 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 Ethels Birthday 1955 and Lucys 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 19461992 then merged with SAG where she served as one of its first vicepresidents and recording secretaries