Janis Paige – 1922

Janis Paige is best known for playing Catherine “Babe” Williams in the musical The Pajama Game. She has a fantastic comedy gift that she has used to entertain audiences for over six decades.

Though her film career got off to a good start with a role in Of Human Bondage in 1946, she soon found herself in a succession of B-musicals starring Dennis Morgan, Jack Carson, or both. Alternatively, she starred as the dame in action movies. She’d had enough of Hollywood after Two Gals and a Guy in 1951. Elsewhere, Paige’s third and longest marriage was to Disney composer Ray Gilbert, songwriter of Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah. He left Paige in charge of his Ipanema Music Company. Now at 99, Paige is reaping the seeds of her investments.

Advertisement