Bella was born on 8 February 1898 in Philadelphia (Pennsylvania, America).

Her parents were the Yiddish actors Morris and Emma Finkel.

She studied in public school, later with a private teacher. She learned Yiddish from the actor Moony Weisenfreund (later Paul Muni), with whom she would later marry.

She studied singing and piano. She performed in a chorus with her uncle Boris Thomashefsky at the National Theatre, where she was for four years. The first major role was her debut as "Bianka" in "Di khazanute(?)". She later acted with Boris Thomashefsky in her first prima donna roles across the provinces. After two seasons directed by Joseph Edelstein at the Second Avenue Theatre, a season with Goldenburg and Moony Weisenfreund in the Irving Place Theatre, afterwards with Ludwig Satz, later at the Public Theatre and at the Liberty Theatre.

She also guest-starred with the Yiddish Art Theatre in Europe in 1924, participating with the troupe. She performed together with her husband in 1928 in the English production of the play "Di fir vend", and since then has been completely away from the Yiddish stage, spending most of her time as the steward of her husband's career.

P.'s sister is the Yiddish actress Lucy Finkel.

M. E.