Paige Tamada Went from Child Star to Human Resource Specialist More about Her Now

As a child, Paige Tamada captured many hearts as the beloved Elf-Judy in the Christmas film "A Santa Clause." Tamada remained in Hollywood until the late '90s, after which her life took a completely different direction.

After a few years in the TV and film industry, former child actress Paige Tamada got her big break in the 1994 family comedy "A Santa Clause." One of the main stars of the Christmas film, Tamada played the beloved and ever-remembered Elf-Judy.

Her performance touched many, and she remained a familiar face onscreen. However, Tamada left the Hollywood scene just as the '90s decade ended. A few years later, she began pursuing a different path.

Paige Tamada during her Biography interview in 2011. | Source: YouTube/Biography

Paige Tamada's Short Acting Career

Tamada's first role was in a 1992 episode of the Bob Saget and John Stamos comedy series "Full House," playing Marie. That year, she appeared as Eleanor in the Burt Reynolds comedy series, "Evening Shade," in seasons two and three.

In 1993, Tamada landed small parts in "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," "Home Improvement," and "Room for Two." She received her first film role in the 1994 drama "Untamed Love," playing a Child. A similar walk-on part followed in the comedy series "Hearts Afire" that year before she starred in "A Santa Clause."

More onscreen appearances followed throughout the decade, such as in the show "Seinfeld," and the films "Milo," "Mad City," and "The Rock Files: If It Bleeds… It Leads." Tamada's last role in the '90s was in a season two episode of "Ally McBeal," playing Girlfriend #2.

Paige Tamada: A Two-Time Graduate and Seasoned HR Specialist

Tamada enrolled at the University of California, Berkeley, in 2003 and graduated with a BA in the History of Art in 2007. From June that year, she worked as a Specialist for Terrestra, and then in 2008, she began working on her Master's at the University of Amsterdam.

Tamada attained her MA in 2009. In 2010, she started as an HR Associate at Macy's in the San Francisco Bay Area. She became the HR Supervisor two years later and ascended to HR, Executive Talent Management in 2016.

Tim Allen with Paige Tamada as Elf-Judy in a scene from "The Santa Clause" in 1994. | Source: Getty Images

Tamada held that position until 2017 before moving to Lamps Plus in Los Angeles. Within Lamps Plus's HR department, she was the Leadership Development Manager and, later in 2018, the Development and Compliance Manager – that year, Tamada made the HFB Class of Forty under 40.

In April 2021, she started as the HR Operations and Compliance Director at Able Services. Later, in October 2021, she joined ABM Industries in the same position. Then, in May 2022, Tamada was promoted to Senior Director of HR Compliance and Policies, and so currently remains.

(L-R) Zachery Ty Bryan, Tim Allen, Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Paige Tamada, and Taran Noah Smith are pictured on an episode of “Much Ado about Nothing” on March 17, 1993. | Source: Getty Images

Paige Tamada Has Kept a Low Profile

Tamada shared that she and Lloyd were good friends on and off set and spent much of their time together. "I just remember we would make forts together, and we ran around in towel capes," she recalled. She said Lloyd was her "partner in crime."

The pair also stayed in the same hotel with their parents and siblings and explored Toronto as a unit. Recently, they each made cameos in the "A Santa Clause" spin-off series, "The Santa Clauses," with Lloyd appearing in a 2022 episode and Tamada in 2023, playing a Proprietor.

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