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. Known as "The Queen of the Hollywood Extras," appeared in over a staggering 700 films in her 41 year career.
Born in Sherman, Texas, Flowers's film debut came in 1923, when she appeared in the movie called Hollywood. She made three films in that year, and then began working extensively, with seven movies in 1926 alone. Most 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.
Along with actors Wallis Clark and Franklyn Farnum, she holds the record for the most appearances in films which have won the Academy Award for Best Picture. She appeared in the following five Academy Award Best Picture winners: 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 films, Flowers was uncredited. Her last film was Good Neighbor Sam in 1964.
Flowers's first husband was Cullen Tate, an assistant to Cecil B. DeMille. She and Tate were married from 1923 until his death in 1947.
Flowers died in Woodland Hills, California on July 28, 1984.
Her first husband, Cullen Tate, was Cecil B. DeMille's assistant director. After his death, she married William S. Holman, a studio manager at Columbia Studios.
Probably the most well-known and prolific extra to work in Hollywood films.
Has appeared in more movies that won the Oscar for Best Picture than anyone else, five: Around the World in 80 Days, The Greatest Show on Earth, All About Eve, You Can't Take it With You, and It Happened One Night. She was uncredited in all of them.
