Renowned actress and dancer Janis Paige has died at 101. Known for her fiery red hair and memorable roles in Hollywood and Broadway, Paige shared the stage with iconic performers such as Fred Astaire and Bob Hope. Paige’s death, which occurred on June 2, was due to natural causes, according to her longtime friend Stuart Lampert.
Paige’s career was marked by significant achievements, including lead roles on Broadway in “Remains to be Seen” with Jackie Cooper and “The Pajama Game” with John Raitt. Her filmography includes comedies “Bachelor in Paradise” with Bob Hope, “Please Don’t Eat the Daisies” with Doris Day, and “Follow the Boys.”
In 2018, Paige publicly shared her personal experience with sexual assault, joining the #MeToo movement. She recounted a traumatic incident involving the late department-store heir Alfred Bloomingdale when she was 22 years old. Bloomingdale died in 1982. “I could feel his hands, not only on my breasts, but seemingly everywhere. He was big and strong, and I began to fight, kick, bite and scream,” Paige stated. She added, “At 95, time is not on my side, and neither is silence. I simply want to add my name and say, ‘Me too.’”
Paige’s entry into Hollywood began during World War II when she performed an operatic aria for servicemen at the Hollywood Canteen. The following day, MGM hired her for a minor role in “Bathing Beauty,” but she was dismissed shortly after. In a twist of fate, Warner Bros. signed her on the same day and gave her a role in “Hollywood Canteen,” with a starting contract of $150 per week.
After her contract with Warner Bros. ended in 1949, Paige transitioned to Broadway as television started to rival the film industry. She starred in “Remains to Be Seen” and as Babe in the original production of “The Pajama Game.” Her work with Fred Astaire in “Silk Stockings” came after MGM producer Arthur Freed was impressed by her nightclub performance.
In 2003, after a substantial break, Paige returned to the stage with “The Third Act,” a show launched in San Francisco, California. Her television appearances included roles on “It’s Always Jan,” “Flamingo Road,” and a 1976 episode of “All in the Family” where she played a waitress attempting to seduce Archie Bunker.
Paige’s autobiography, “Reading Between the Lines: A Memoir,” was published in 2020 and offered insight into her relationships with various Hollywood luminaries.
Paige, born as Donna May Tjaden, spent her early years in Tacoma, Washington. She married three times, with her third husband being Oscar-winning songwriter Ray Gilbert. Gilbert died in 1976, and Paige subsequently took over the management of his music company.