For millions of children growing up in the late 1990s, one smiling face became just as recognizable as the colorful characters on their television screens. Every time the sun appeared over the Teletubbies’ little world, a cheerful baby seemed to laugh down at Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa, and Po. Yet behind that familiar television moment was a little girl whose identity remained largely unknown for years. Her appearance was filmed when she was just nine months old, and her parents never imagined the children’s program would become an international success. What began as an unusual opportunity during a routine hospital visit eventually became one of the most memorable parts of children’s television history. Decades later, the woman behind that famous smile has revealed just how much she received for the role.
The story began in 1996, when her mother, Anji Smith, took her to Edenbridge Hospital in England for a routine health check and weigh-in. The production company behind Teletubbies had contacted the hospital looking for babies who could smile and laugh naturally on camera. Her name was passed along, and the family eventually received a letter confirming that she had been selected. During filming, her father, Bill, entertained her with a teddy bear, making her laugh while cameras captured the expressions that would become famous. The production team placed her in a specially designed chair to create the illusion that she was looking down from the sun. Although she has no personal memories of the filming, the footage became part of television history. But when fans discovered what she had actually earned for such an iconic appearance, the figure was far smaller than many might have expected.
Speaking to UNILAD, Jess Smith explained that she received just £250, approximately $335, for her appearance, along with some toys. Despite the show’s enormous popularity, her childhood role did not make her a millionaire. She has also explained that she never expected the program to become such a significant part of her life. Teletubbies first premiered on BBC television in 1997 and ran until 2001 before returning in later revivals. The original characters became internationally recognized, and the series eventually reached new audiences through CBeebies and Netflix. Smith, meanwhile, chose a different path from the entertainment industry. Now a mother of two, she has described family life as her priority and says she enjoys staying home with her daughters. She occasionally introduces them to the program, and they recognize their mother whenever the famous smiling sun appears. Her connection to the show has even become part of her family’s story: she gave her daughter Poppy the middle name Rae as a tribute to the sunshine character.
Today, the former Sun Baby can look back on a television appearance that continues to bring smiles to families decades after it was filmed. Her daughters now have the unusual experience of watching their mother as a baby on a beloved children’s program, something few families could ever experience. Although the original payment was modest compared with the show’s lasting success, Smith has never suggested that the role needed to become a major financial investment or career opportunity to hold personal value. For her, the experience is a cherished childhood story rather than a missed opportunity for fame and fortune. The little girl who once appeared above the Teletubbies’ colorful world has grown up, built a family of her own, and found a special way to preserve that unexpected television legacy.