Biografia
Paige Dunham is a businesswoman, philanthropist, mother, and advocate for divorced women who has built a reputation through her involvement with various charities, business expertise, and guidance for individuals navigating break-ups and divorce. In 2013, Paige took on the role of Executive Producer for the feature film The Face of Love (2013) [Mockingbird Pictures], starring Robin Williams, Ed Harris, and Annette Bening. The film centers on a widow who falls in love with a man who closely resembles her late husband.
Born in Savannah, Georgia, and raised on Amelia Island, Florida, Paige grew up dancing at her family's dance studio. Her family later moved to West Palm Beach, Florida, where she completed high school. She attended Clemson University in South Carolina, majoring in business. In 1991, her first daughter, Bree Aleece, was born. Paige returned to West Palm Beach for her daughter's birth and met her future husband, comedian and entertainer Jeff Dunham. They became engaged three months after meeting, moved to Los Angeles, and married after a year-long engagement. Paige gave birth to her second daughter, Ashlyn Evelyn, in 1995, and her third daughter, Makenna Paige, in 1997.
Though Paige chose to be a full-time mother, she played a vital role in Jeff Dunham's comedic career. Over 14 years, she assisted with writing material, helped pitch show ideas, and managed the merchandise side of Jeff's brand. Many of Jeff’s stage stories were inspired by their home life. In 1994, Paige developed the database for Jeff’s online fan club, which was instrumental in his 1997 American Comedy Awards win for Best Male Stand-Up Comic. She also managed newsletters, created and handled merchandise, and launched an online store. To grow their family business further, Paige founded Brasma Publications in 1999, hiring an illustrator and publishing "Dear Walter..." in 2003—a book featuring audience questions answered by Jeff's character Walter during live shows. In 2006, Paige established the Jeff and Paige Dunham Foundation to allocate a portion of proceeds from Jeff's U.S. stand-up shows to help those in need. One dollar from every ticket sale and all eBay sales contributed to the foundation. Paige managed eBay auctions for meet & greets and memorabilia sales. That year, the foundation donated $35,000 to Hurricane Katrina Relief through the Ronald McDonald House of Houston.
As the foundation gained momentum, Paige and Jeff’s marriage began to deteriorate due to multiple infidelities on her part. Jeff filed for separation in 2008, and Paige filed for divorce, which was finalized in 2012. Now known among friends as the 'marriage whisperer,' Paige dedicates her time to supporting and advising women experiencing divorce, drawing from her own journey to aid others’ healing.
Outside of work, Paige is committed to various children’s charities and is passionate about teaching parents to instill the value of giving back in their children, as she has with her daughters. Running has become a source of therapy for her; she recently completed a half marathon in San Francisco, raising $6,000 for the National Institute of Mental Health. Paige continues to lead The Paige Dunham Foundation and looks forward to furthering her philanthropic efforts through it.
