Born in Thun at Lake Thun (Switzerland), Beatrice Frey studied acting at the Mozarteum in Salzburg.

Beatrice Frey was a founding member of the Wiener Schauspielhaus, where she was engaged from 1978 to 1984 and from 2002 to 2004 and worked with Barrie Kosky, among others. In 1987, she co-founded the Wiener Ensemble, where she remained a member until 1991.

Engagements have taken her to the Freie Volksbühne Berlin, the Schlosspark Theatre Berlin and the Schauspiel Frankfurt, among others. She was permanently engaged at the Volkstheater Wien, where she was awarded the Karl Skraup Prize for various roles. In 1985, Beatrice Frey received the Kainz Medal for her portrayal of Oi in Mercedes by Thomas Brasch at the Wiener Schauspielhaus. In 2000, Beatrice Frey wrote and realised the Josephine Baker project Chez Moi.

She has appeared in numerous roles in film and television since 1979. In 2012 she received the Medal of Honour of the City of Vienna. From 2009 to 2019, she was a permanent ensemble member at Schauspiel Hannover. Beatrice Frey is a regular guest at the Schauspielhaus Graz.

Beatrice Frey has been a member of the ensemble at Deutsches Theater Berlin since the 2023/24 season.