The Sun Has Risen Again: 7 Shocking Facts About The Original Teletubbies Sun Baby, Jess Smith, Who Just Became A Mom

The iconic, giggling face that greeted millions of children every morning in Teletubbyland has grown up and is now a mother herself. The ‘Sun Baby’ from the original run of the global phenomenon Teletubbies, Jessica "Jess" Smith, has made headlines across the world with the news of her first child, bringing a sweet, full-circle moment to a character who defined a generation's childhood. This incredible life update, which surfaced in late 2023 and solidified in early 2024, is the freshest and most heartwarming news about the star since she first revealed her identity to the public a decade ago. It’s a powerful reminder of how much time has passed since Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa, and Po first bounded across our screens.

This article dives deep into the life of the woman behind the most famous baby laugh in television history. From her humble beginnings and surprising payment for the role to her current life as a new mom, we uncover the fascinating biography and little-known facts about Jess Smith, the original Sun Baby, and introduce you to the new face of the sun in the modern reboot. Get ready to feel a wave of nostalgia as we explore the secrets of one of children's television's most enduring figures.

Jessica Elizabeth Smith: The Original Sun Baby Biography & Profile

The identity of the Sun Baby was one of the most closely guarded secrets in children's television for nearly two decades. Jess Smith finally revealed herself in 2014, ending years of speculation and urban legends. Here is a complete profile of the original star:

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• Full Name: Jessica Elizabeth Smith
• Role: The Original Sun Baby in Teletubbies
• Date of Birth: November 13, 1995
• Place of Birth: United Kingdom (UK)
• Age (as of late 2024/early 2025): 29 years old
• Casting Age: Nine months old
• Years on Show: 1997–2001 (Original Run)
• Education: Studied Dance at Canterbury Christ Church University
• Current Status: New Mother, having welcomed her first child in early 2024
• Partner: Ricky Latham
• Child: A daughter, born in early 2024

Smith’s journey began innocently at a local hospital in Kent, England, where she was being weighed. A producer from Ragdoll Productions, the company behind Teletubbies, was there on a scouting mission and thought she had the perfect, beaming smile and infectious giggle for the role. The rest, as they say, is television history.

Fact 1: The Sun Baby Is Now a Mother—A Teletubbies Full Circle Moment

The most significant and recent update about Jess Smith is her transition into motherhood. In late 2023, Jess Smith, then 28, announced that she was pregnant, expecting her first child with her partner, Ricky Latham.

The news was a global sensation, sparking a wave of nostalgia as fans realized the baby who watched over Teletubbyland was now having a baby of her own. In early 2024, Smith confirmed the birth of her daughter.

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This life event is a powerful milestone, perfectly encapsulating the passage of time for the show's original viewers. Many media outlets highlighted the sweet, full-circle nature of the star who played the Sun Baby now having a child to whom she can show her iconic role.

Fact 2: Jess Smith's Surprisingly Small Salary for an Iconic Role

One of the most surprising revelations Jess Smith made after going public with her identity was the minimal compensation she received for her globally recognized role. For her time as the Sun Baby, which involved being filmed for the show's original run, Smith was paid just £250 (approximately $315 USD).

In addition to the small fee, she was given a box of toys. This minimal payment is starkly contrasted with the estimated billion-dollar revenue the Teletubbies franchise generated worldwide. The original series, featuring Smith's infectious smile, ran for four years and became a cultural phenomenon, yet the star was paid a flat fee with no residuals.

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Smith's family reportedly kept the payment a secret for years, only revealing it after she decided to come forward. This story often sparks debate about fair compensation for child actors in massively successful media properties.

Fact 3: How Jess Smith Finally Revealed Her Identity

For years, Jess Smith kept her famous role a secret, even from many of her friends. The true identity of the Sun Baby was a subject of much media speculation, with various rumors circulating online.

The revelation finally came in 2014 when Smith was a first-year university student studying dance at Canterbury Christ Church University. She was encouraged by friends to reveal a "secret fact" about herself during a university game.

She posted about it on Facebook, writing, "I used to hide it, but after a lot of encouragement from my friends at university, I’ve gained the confidence to come out with it. I am the Sun Baby from Teletubbies." Her public announcement quickly went viral, confirming the long-held mystery.

Fact 4: The Unique Filming Technique for the Giggling Sun

Capturing the perfect, spontaneous giggle of the Sun Baby required a unique and low-tech approach. Jess Smith was only nine months old when she was filmed, making traditional direction impossible.

To get the iconic shots, her father, Bill Smith, was instructed to sit behind the camera and play with her, using simple distractions to elicit the spontaneous laughter and expressions. The production team would film her while she was laughing at her dad's antics, such as dropping a teddy bear or simply making funny noises.

The footage was then sped up and zoomed in to create the iconic floating Sun Baby face that would rise and set over Teletubbyland, greeting Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa, and Po.

Fact 5: The New Sun Baby is Named Berry

While Jess Smith will forever be the face of the original series, the Teletubbies was rebooted in 2015, introducing a whole new generation to the colorful characters and the magical world of Tubby Custard and the Noo-Noo vacuum cleaner.

The new series also needed a new Sun Baby. The role was passed to a girl named Berry.

Berry’s casting marked a new era for the show, but her face and giggle are just as central to the reboot's opening and closing sequences. Jess Smith has publicly expressed her support for Berry, welcoming her to the unique legacy of the Sun Baby. This passing of the torch ensures that the fundamental element of the sun's smiling face continues in the modern iteration of the show.

Fact 6: Jess Smith's Life After Teletubbies

Despite her global fame, Jess Smith largely stepped away from the spotlight after the show's original run. She did not pursue a career in acting, instead choosing to focus on her education.

She studied Dance at university and has maintained a relatively private life, only engaging with the media when major life events, like her pregnancy and the birth of her daughter, occur. Her life is a testament to the fact that not all child stars continue down the path of Hollywood fame; many choose a normal, grounded life. Her occasional appearances, such as a 2024 segment on the UK show This Morning, are always met with excitement from nostalgic fans.

Fact 7: The Sweet Name of Jess Smith's Daughter

In a final, sweet nod to her iconic role, Jess Smith and her partner chose a name for their daughter that has a subtle, heartwarming connection to the Teletubbies universe. While the exact name is kept somewhat private, reports indicate the name is a "sweet nod to the show."

This detail delighted fans, who saw it as a beautiful way for Smith to acknowledge the part of her past that brought joy to millions, now sharing that joy with her own family. The journey of the Sun Baby—from a giggling infant in the sky to a mother holding her own child—is one of the most charming and enduring stories in children's television history. It proves that even the smallest roles can leave the biggest impact.