Daytime Alum Janis Paige Dead at 101
Veteran actress Janis Paige has died at the age of 101 at her home in Los Angeles. Among her numerous credits across stage and screen were some roles on daytime soaps, including General Hospital. “RIP to Janis Paige,” Kin Shriner (Scott, GH) posted to Twitter/X. “Had the pleasure of working with her on a couple soaps. She always had a story or two and I relished them!”
Paige’s incredible career in show business began back in the 40s with small roles in films before hitting it big on Broadway in 1954 starring in The Pajama Game. She also starred in the CBS sitcom It’s Always Jan, which only lasted one season.
In addition to appearing in Broadway shows like Here’s Love, Alone Together, and Mame, Paige could be seen in countless television series during her career. Along with guest appearances on shows like Columbo, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Love Boat, and Charlie’s Angels, the actress had recurring roles in All in the Family, Eight Is Enough, and Trapper John, M.D.. Among her big screen credits were films like Silk Stockings, Romance on the High Seas, and Please Don’t Eat the Daisies.
Paige also appeared in some daytime dramas, playing the role of Sam Clegg’s first wife, Laureen, on Capitol in 1987. She went on to join the cast of GH as Katherine’s aunt, Iona Huntington, from whom Ned bought Spoon Island in 1989. But her biggest daytime role was in the NBC soap Santa Barbara when she took over the role of Minx Lockridge from Dame Judith Anderson in 1990, remaining with the soap until its final episode in 1993.
Our thoughts are with Paige’s family and friends during this difficult time.