Janis Paige, born Donna Mae Tjaden in Tacoma, Washington on September 16, 1922, is an acclaimed American actress whose career spans over six decades in film, musical theatre, and television. She is most renowned for her roles in musicals like “The Pajama Game” on Broadway, where her performance contributed to its 1955 Tony Award® win for Best Musical.
Seeking a career in entertainment, Paige moved to Los Angeles after high school, adopting her stage name from a World War I entertainer and her grandmother’s maiden name. Her early break came when she was discovered while singing at the Hollywood Canteen, leading to her first film roles in “Bathing Beauty” (1944) and “Hollywood Canteen” (1944), where she played a Warner Brothers messenger girl.
Although her initial foray into film included a notable role in “Of Human Bondage” (1946), Paige found herself typecast in a series of B-musicals and rugged adventure dramas. Disenchanted with Hollywood, she shifted her focus to Broadway, debuting alongside Jackie Cooper in the mystery-comedy “Remains to Be Seen” (1951). Her Broadway career peaked with her acclaimed performance as Babe Williams in “The Pajama Game.”
Paige returned to Hollywood in 1957, showcasing her comedic talents in “Silk Stockings,” and sharing the screen with Doris Day in “Please Don’t Eat the Daisies” (1960). She continued to appear in films like “The Caretakers” (1963), where she played a challenging role as a prostitute in a mental institution, and later in “Welcome to Hard Times” (1967) and “Natural Causes” (1994).
Beyond her film career, Paige was active on television from the mid-1950s, appearing in series like “It’s Always Jan” (1955-1956) and making guest appearances on shows such as “The Fugitive” and “Columbo.” Her later years saw her engaging in a variety of roles in both musical and non-musical theatre, including leading roles in national tours and summer stock productions of “Annie Get Your Gun,” “Applause,” “Gypsy,” and “Guys and Dolls.”
Janis Paige’s personal life included her marriage to Disney composer Ray Gilbert, known for the song “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah.” After his death in 1976, she managed his Ipanema Music Company and served as an alternate board member of the Songwriters Guild of America. Janis Paige’s diverse and extensive career highlights her versatility and enduring appeal in the world of entertainment.
