Paige O'Hara facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Paige O'Hara
O'Hara at Animate Miami in 2024
Born	Donna Paige Helmintoller (1956-05-10) May 10, 1956 (age 69) Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S.
Occupation	Actress singer painter
Years active	1975–present
Spouse(s)	Lew Resseguie ​ ​ (m. 1980, divorced)​ Michael Piontek ​ (m. 1990)​
Awards	Disney Legend (2011)

Paige O'Hara (born Donna Paige Helmintoller on May 10, 1956) is an American actress, singer, and painter. She is best known as the voice of Belle from Disney's animated movie Beauty and the Beast.

Paige O'Hara started her acting career on Broadway in 1975. She has also appeared in many other films and television shows. She has continued to voice Belle in several follow-up movies and special appearances.

Early Life and Interests

Paige O'Hara began acting when she was just four years old. She took acting classes in her home state of Florida. When she was 12, she became interested in singing. She then went to a performing arts high school to develop her talents. One of her biggest inspirations was the famous American actress and singer Judy Garland.

Career Highlights

Broadway and Stage Roles

Paige O'Hara first appeared on Broadway in 1975. She played the character Della in a play called The Gift of the Magi. Later, she played Ellie May Chipley in a new version of the musical Showboat in 1983. She even performed this role in Egypt.

She also sang on a Grammy-nominated recording of Showboat. Paige O'Hara has performed in many other stage shows across the United States. These include The Mystery of Edwin Drood and Oklahoma!. In 1995, she joined the Broadway cast of Les Misérables, playing the role of Fantine. She also performed internationally, playing Nellie Forbush in South Pacific in Australia.

Becoming Disney's Belle

Paige O'Hara was a big fan of Walt Disney Pictures. When she was 35, she auditioned for the movie Beauty and the Beast. She got the part of Belle, the main character. This was her first major movie role.

Beauty and the Beast was a huge success. Paige O'Hara continued to voice Belle in other Disney movies. These included Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas (1997) and Belle's Magical World (1998). She also made special appearances as Belle in Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018) and Once Upon a Studio (2023).

In 2007, she appeared in Disney's live-action and animated film Enchanted. She played a character named Angela in a fictional TV show within the movie.

Disney Legend Award

For her amazing work as Belle, Paige O'Hara received a special honor. She was named a Disney Legend on August 19, 2011. This award celebrates people who have made important contributions to The Walt Disney Company.

Even though her voice has changed over time, Paige O'Hara still loves being part of the Disney family. She continues to paint pictures of Belle for Disney Fine Art. She also attends special events for Disney fans. In 2022, she appeared as a bookseller in the TV special Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration.

Personal Life

Paige O'Hara married actor Michael Piontek in 1990. She is a Catholic.

Filmography

Film Roles

Television Roles

Video Game Roles

Theatre Performances

Discography

• Jerry Herman: Mack and Mabel in Concert (Live at the Theatre Royal), 1988
• Jerome Kern: Show Boat, 1988
• Loving You: Paige O'Hara Sings Jerry Herman, 1995
• Rodgers and Hammerstein: South Pacific, 1996
• Paige O'Hara: Dream With Me, 1998

See also

In Spanish: Paige O'Hara para niños