Bavier, Frances, 1902-1989

Frances Bavier was an actress chiefly remembered for her portrayal of Aunt Bee on the "The Andy Griffith Show," which ran from 1960 to 1968 and for which she won an Emmy. Bavier retired in 1970 and, in 1972, moved to Siler City, N.C., where she lived a somewhat reclusive life. She died on 6 December 1989.

Frances Bavier was born in New York City. There is disagreement on whether she was born in 1902 or 1905. She had planned to be a teacher, but was influenced by a friend to try her hand at theater instead. Upon graduating from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in 1925, she acted in the stage farce The Poor Nut . She later played the grandmother in the original Broadway production of On Borrowed Time . During World War II, she traveled with the USO to entertain the troops in the Pacific. Her last appearance on Broadway was in Point of No Return (1951) with Henry Fonda. Arriving in Hollywood in 1950, she appeared in such films as The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951) and The Stooge (1952). On the small screen, she found regular work in sitcoms including It's a Great Life (1956) and The Eve Arden Show (1957). She is most often remembered for her role as Aunt Bee on the The Andy Griffith Show, which ran from 1960 to 1968 and for which she won an Emmy. She remained with the show after Griffith left and the show was renamed Mayberry RFD .

Bavier retired in 1970 and, in 1972, moved to Siler City, N.C., where she lived a somewhat reclusive life. She died on 6 December 1989.