Janis Paige

Birth Name:

Donna Mae Tjaden

Birth Place:

Tacoma, Washington, United States

Profession

Actress, Soundtrack

Performed in USO tours for troops stationed in Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, Puerto Rico, and Cuba, and was a frequent guest on Bob Hope's NBC specials in the 1950s
Took a third place Laurel Award for Top Female Supporting Performance for "Please Don't Eat the Daisies" in 1960
After being asked to fill in for a singer at the Hollywood Canteen, she was approached by an assistant to Louis B․ Mayer and signed an MGM contract the following day
Began her career at the age of 5, singing in amateur contests in her hometown of Tacoma, Washington
Made her screen acting debut in the film "Bathing Beauty" in 1944
Best known for her role as Peggy Dayton in "Silk Stockings" and as Deborah Vaughn in "Please Don't Eat the Daisies․"
Has also appeared in a number of stage productions, including "Remains to be Seen," "Pajama Game," "Here's Love," and "Mame․"
Was a cabaret headliner at major nightclubs and supper clubs with performers like Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr․, and Liberace
Was a member of the Songwriters Guild of America for 25 years, inheriting her seat from her husband, "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah" writer Ray Gilbert, after his death in 1976
Was the associate producer and voice of Nina in the TV movie "We Think the World Is Round" in 1984

Fast Facts