Who was Doris Day? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: Doris Mary Ann Kappelhoff

Died At Age: 97

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Al Jorden, Barry Comden, George Weidler, Martin Melcher

father: William Kappelhoff

mother: Alma Sophia Kappelhoff

siblings: Paul Kappelhoff, Richard Kappelhoff

children: Terry Melcher

Singers Actresses

Height: 5'7" (170 cm), 5'7" Females

Died on: May 13, 2019

place of death: Carmel Valley, California, United States

Ancestry: German American

U.S. State: Ohio

Cause of Death: Pneumonia

City: Cincinnati, Ohio

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1

Is Doris Day still alive?

No, Doris Day passed away on May 13, 2019.
2

What was Doris Day's first film?

Doris Day's first film was "Romance on the High Seas" released in 1948.
3

Did Doris Day have any children?

No, Doris Day did not have any biological children, but she was a devoted animal welfare advocate.
4

What was Doris Day known for besides acting?

In addition to acting, Doris Day was known for her successful singing career, with hits like "Que Sera, Sera" and "Secret Love."
5

Did Doris Day ever write an autobiography?

Yes, Doris Day wrote an autobiography titled "Doris Day: Her Own Story," which was published in 1976.

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Childhood & Early Life

She was born as Doris Mary Ann Kappelhoff in Cincinnati, Ohio, on 3 April, 1924. Her mother Alma Sophia was a housewife while her father Wilhelm von Kappelhoff was a music teacher and choir master. She had two older brothers.

Her parents separated while she was still a little girl, and she lived with her mother. Doris was interested in music and dance from a young age and formed a dance duo with Jerry Doherty in the mid-1930s.

She badly injured her legs in a tragic car accident in 1937 which made it impossible for her to follow her ambition of becoming a professional dancer. While recovering she listened to a lot of songs on radio and while singing along with them, she realized that she was blessed with a good voice. Her mother too recognized her potential as a singer and arranged for her to receive lessons from vocal coach Grace Raine.

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Career

Doris Day began her professional career as a vocalist on the WLW radio program ‘Carlin's Carnival’. Her radio performances attracted the attention of Barney Rapp, who was looking for a girl vocalist and appointed her.

She adopted the stage name Doris Day in 1939 while working for Rapp. She later on worked with Les Brown and released the song ‘Sentimental Journey’ in 1945 which became very popular and established her career as a successful singer.

She performed many songs with Brown’s band, and became a much-loved voice by the late 1940s. In 1947, she met the composer Jule Styne and his partner Sammy Cahn, who asked her to audition for a role in the film ‘Romance on the High Seas’.

The movie ‘Romance on the High Seas’ (1948) not only marked her debut as a film actress, but also provided her with her first No. 1 hit recording as a soloist, ‘It's Magic’. By the early 1950s, she became one of America’s most sought-after actresses and singers, and was a darling of the masses.

Doris Day co-starred with James Cagney in the 1955 biographical film, ‘Love Me or Leave Me’, which was based on the life story of Ruth Etting, a singer who rose from dancer to movie star. The film garnered critical and commercial success, becoming Doris Day's biggest hit so far.

She gave one of her most memorable performances as an actress in 1959 when she starred in the movie ‘Pillow Talk’, co-starring Rock Hudson and Tony Randall. She went on to star in two more films with Hudson and Randall, ‘Lover Come Back’ (1961) and ’Send Me No Flowers’ (1964).

Her success streak continued throughout the 1960s and she appeared in several hit films such as ‘The Ballad of Josie’ (1967), ‘Where Were You When the Lights Went Out?’ (1968), and ‘With Six You Get Eggroll’ (1968). She decided to retire from films in 1968.

Her third husband died in April 1968 and Doris Day discovered that he along with his business partner had squandered her earnings, leaving her deeply in debt. Thus she had to continue working and started appearing in the television series, ‘The Doris Day Show’ even though she hated the idea of working on television.

The first episode of ‘The Doris Day Show’ aired in September 1968, and the show became very successful. It ran for five seasons till 1973. She largely retired from acting after ‘The Doris Day Show’, though she continued to make sporadic appearances on television.

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Major Works

Her portrayal of Jan Morrow in the romantic comedy, ‘Pillow Talk’, is undoubtedly one of her finest performances. She played the role of a successful interior decorator who shares a multiparty telephone line with a Broadway composer and playboy which gives rise to hilarious situations. The role earned her several awards and nominations.

Awards & Achievements

In 2004, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George W. Bush for her achievements in the entertainment industry.

She received a Grammy for Lifetime Achievement in Music in 2008, and is the recipient of three Grammy Hall of Fame Awards (1998, 1999 and 2012).

In January 2012, the Los Angeles Film Critics Association presented Doris Day with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Personal Life & Legacy

Doris Day married Al Jorden, a trombonist, in 1941. This marriage resulted in the birth of her only child, a son named Terry. Her husband was physically abusive, and thus she divorced him in 1943.

She married a saxophonist, George Weidler, in 1946. This union too was short-lived and ended in 1949.

Her third marriage was to Martin Melcher in 1951. Melcher adopted her son, and produced many of Doris Day’s movies. This marriage lasted for 17 years until Melcher's death in 1968.

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She tied the knot once again in 1976, entering into wedlock with Barry Comden. However, this marriage soon unraveled and the couple divorced in 1981.

Doris Day was in excellent health till her last days. A few days before her death, she contracted a serious case of pneumonia and died on 13 May 2019, at the age of 97, at her Carmel Valley home in California.

Facts About Doris Day

Doris Day was known for her love of animals and was a passionate animal welfare activist

She co-founded the organization "Doris Day Animal Foundation" to help improve the lives of animals.

Doris Day was a talented singer and actress, earning numerous awards and accolades throughout her career, including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and a Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Doris Day was a skilled dancer and performed her own dance routines in many of her films, showcasing her versatility as a performer.

Doris Day was a skilled artist and enjoyed painting as a hobby

She often found inspiration in nature and animals for her artwork.

Doris Day had a great sense of humor and was known for her quick wit

She brought a light-hearted charm to her performances that endeared her to audiences around the world.

1963	World Film Favorite - Female	Winner
1960	World Film Favorite - Female	Winner
1958	World Film Favorite - Female	Winner

Doris Day Biography

You wanted to know

Is Doris Day still alive?

What was Doris Day's first film?

Did Doris Day have any children?

What was Doris Day known for besides acting?

Did Doris Day ever write an autobiography?