Where Is Paige Tamada Now? The Elf from The Santa Clause Has a Whole New Life

Do you remember The Santa Clause from 1994? It was a fun and magical Christmas movie that many families still love to watch every holiday season. One of the most loved characters was Elf Judy — the kind, calm, and smart elf who made the “perfect” cup of hot cocoa.

That sweet elf was played by Paige Tamada, a young actress who quickly won hearts across the world. But then, something surprising happened. Just a few years after her big moment in Hollywood, Paige disappeared from the screen. No one saw her in movies or TV anymore. Fans started to ask — what happened to Paige Tamada? Where is she now?

In this article, we’ll take a look at her full journey — from her early acting days to her life today. You’ll be surprised by the new path she chose. Let’s begin.

Paige Tamada Bio Table


Full Name	Paige Yukiko Tamada
Date of Birth	January 11, 1985
Age (2026)	41 years old
Birthplace	Los Angeles, California, USA
Nationality	American
Ethnicity	Japanese-American
Height	5’5″ (165 cm)
Weight	119 lbs (54 kg)
Eye Color	Brown
Hair Color	Black
Marital Status	Unmarried
Famous Role	Elf Judy in The Santa Clause
Active Years (Acting)	1991–1999
Current Job (2026)	Senior Director, HR Compliance
Workplace	ABM Industries
Education	UC Berkeley, Univ. of Amsterdam
Net Worth	$1.3 million (est.)
Social Media	Not publicly active

Who Is Paige Tamada?

Paige Tamada is a former child actress who became famous in the 1990s. Her full name is Paige Yukiko Tamada. She was born on January 11, 1985, in Los Angeles, California. As of 2026, she is 41 years old.

Paige is Japanese-American and grew up in Southern California. She went to The International School of Los Angeles, a French-American school, where she learned both English and French. From a young age, she was smart, curious, and full of personality — perfect for the screen.

Even as a little girl, Paige had a peaceful and sweet presence. That gentle energy came through in all her roles, which is why so many people remember her with warmth and love.

Paige Tamada’s Early Acting Days

Paige started acting when she was just six years old. At a time when most kids were learning to ride bikes or color inside the lines, Paige was already on TV.

One of her very first roles was in the hit show The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. She played a small character named Jessie. Soon after that, she also appeared on Full House as Marie.

Even though her parts were small, she stood out. She had something special — a calm confidence and a kind face that made people smile. That charm helped her get more roles in other TV shows, and her career started to grow quickly.

Paige Tamada in The Santa Clause

In 1994, Paige Tamada got the role that changed everything — she was cast as Elf Judy in the movie The Santa Clause. She was only nine years old, but she played the part like a pro.

Elf Judy wasn’t just any elf. She was smart, caring, and very wise for her age. In one famous scene, she explains the magic of the North Pole and even jokes about being “seeing someone in wrapping.” Fans loved her soft voice, sweet smile, and kind attitude.

Paige worked closely with Tim Allen (who played Santa) and Eric Lloyd (who played Charlie). She later shared that she and Eric were close friends on set. They used to run around in towel capes and build pillow forts together. It was fun, innocent, and full of holiday magic — just like the movie itself.

Other Movies and TV Shows She Was In

After The Santa Clause, Paige Tamada continued to act in more shows and movies throughout the 1990s. She had a real gift, and casting teams loved working with her.

Some of her other TV appearances include:

Evening Shade (as Eleanor)
Home Improvement (as Tiffany)
Room for Two
Hearts Afire
Seinfeld (as Clara)
Ally McBeal (as Girlfriend #2)

In movies, she also appeared in:

Untamed Love (1994)
Mad City (1997) with Dustin Hoffman and John Travolta
Milo (1998), a horror movie where she played Young May

By the time she was 14, Paige had been in over a dozen projects. For such a young actress, that was a huge achievement. But then… everything stopped.

Why Paige Tamada Left Acting

In 1999, when she was just 14 years old, Paige Tamada quietly stepped away from acting. She didn’t say why. There were no news stories, no interviews, no big goodbyes. She simply stopped showing up on TV.

Some people think she just wanted a normal life — to go to high school, hang out with friends, and live like a regular teenager. Others believe the pressure of fame may have been too much.

Whatever the reason, Paige made her choice, and she stuck to it. She didn’t come back to Hollywood. She didn’t chase the spotlight. She just walked away — and many fans have wondered about her ever since.

Paige Tamada’s Education Journey

After leaving acting, Paige focused on something else: her education. She had already gone to a strong school as a child, and she continued to work hard in her studies.

In 2003, she began attending the University of California, Berkeley, one of the best colleges in the country. She graduated in 2007 with a Bachelor’s degree in History of Art.

But Paige didn’t stop there. She later moved to Europe and studied at the University of Amsterdam, where she earned her Master’s degree in Art in 2009. That’s a big change from her life in movies — and it showed that she had big dreams outside of Hollywood too.

What Does Paige Tamada Do Now?

Instead of returning to acting, Paige Tamada chose something completely different: business. She began working in human resources — a job that helps people grow and succeed inside a company.

Her first known job was at Terrestra in 2007. Then in 2010, she joined Macy’s in San Francisco. She worked her way up over seven years, starting as an HR Associate and eventually becoming an Executive in Talent Management.

It’s rare to see a child star build such a strong second career. But Paige did it quietly, with no headlines — just hard work.

Paige Tamada’s Job Today in 2026

After her time at Macy’s, Paige Tamada continued to grow her new career. In 2017, she joined Lamps Plus, a company that sells lighting and home décor. She started as a Leadership Development Manager, helping people grow their skills inside the company. Later, she became the Compliance Manager, making sure company rules and laws were followed.

In 2018, she was honored as part of the HFB Class of Forty Under 40 — a big achievement that recognized her as a rising leader in business. It was a proud moment and showed just how far she had come from her days as a child star.

By 2021, she moved to Able Services as the Director of HR Operations and Compliance. That same year, she joined ABM Industries, a large company based in the U.S., in the same role. In 2022, she was promoted again — this time to Senior Director of HR Compliance & Policies. That’s her job today in 2026.

Rare Public Appearances of Paige Tamada

Even though she left acting many years ago, Paige Tamada has made a few small public appearances that made fans smile.

In 2011, she joined her old cast members from The Santa Clause for a fun reunion interview. She shared sweet memories from the movie set. One cute story was how she and Eric Lloyd, who played Charlie, became good friends. They made forts, ran around in towel capes, and explored Toronto together during filming.

Then, in 2023, fans were surprised and happy to see her again. Paige made a short cameo in The Santa Clauses, the Disney+ spin-off series. She played a character called “Proprietor.” Even though it was a small role, it meant a lot to longtime fans. It was a lovely nod to her past, and many people were thrilled to see her on screen again — even if just for a moment.

Is Paige Tamada on Instagram or Social Media?

One big reason why people always wonder “Where is Paige Tamada now?” is because she doesn’t use social media.

She is not active on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or any other popular platforms. She keeps her personal life private. There are no updates, selfies, or behind-the-scenes photos. That’s rare in today’s world.

But for Paige, this makes sense. She chose a quiet life. She stepped away from fame. She doesn’t seek attention or followers. And that’s why fans are always so curious — because she’s a little mystery in a very public world.

Where Is Paige Tamada Now?

As of 2026, Paige Tamada lives in Los Angeles, California — the same city where she was born.

But her life is very different now. Instead of red carpets and movie sets, her world is made up of office meetings, policy planning, and helping others grow in their jobs. She’s respected in the corporate world and known for her leadership skills.

She doesn’t appear at Hollywood events. She doesn’t talk to the media. She simply lives her life, quietly and peacefully. For someone who once lived in the spotlight, this kind of calm may be exactly what she wanted.

Paige Tamada’s Net Worth and Legacy

Even though Paige Tamada stopped acting many years ago, she still has a strong legacy. She is remembered every holiday season when The Santa Clause plays on TV. Her warm smile and soft voice as Elf Judy still bring joy to millions of people.

Her estimated net worth is around $1.3 million. This money comes from her early acting work, plus many years of hard work in the business world. She didn’t just rely on childhood fame — she built a second career with patience and effort.

And that’s what makes her story so special. Paige Tamada didn’t chase fame. She didn’t try to “stay famous.” She built a new life — one that’s real, strong, and completely her own.

Final Thoughts

So — where is Paige Tamada now? She’s living a quiet, successful life far from the cameras. She was once a bright young star in movies and shows we still love. But now, she’s a grown woman who followed a different path — and made it work.

She reminds us that it’s okay to step away from the spotlight. That life can still be full and joyful, even if no one is watching.

And even though Paige Tamada may never return to acting full-time, she’ll always have a place in our hearts. Especially every time we see Elf Judy smile and say, “Seeing isn’t believing. Believing is seeing.”

(FAQs)

What movies did Paige Tamada act in before she disappeared?

Paige starred in The Santa Clause, Mad City, and Milo. She also appeared in hit shows like Seinfeld, Full House, and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air — all before she turned 14!