Doris Day Bio (Biography)
Biography
Doris Day is a well known blonde singer and actress who was incredibly popular in the 50s and 60s. Day was known as a very well rounded actress, able to play nearly any role well, although she was perhaps best known for playing women with both strong will and clear virtue.
Day was born on April 3, 1924, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to two German immigrants. They named her Doris Mary Anne von Kappelhoff, with Doris coming from the silent movie star Doris Kenyon. Day had two older brothers, one of whom died before she was born.
Day's career first began on radio, then received her first role in the movie "Romance on the High Seas." Day replaced Betty Hutton as the lead when Hutton became pregnant. Although this was Day's first leading role and her first film role ever, the movie was a huge success and the first of many great films for Day, although she had her flops, too.
Day appeared in dramas, comedies, and musicals, and even when she was only acting in a film, she often contributed to its soundtrack. One of her most famous songs, "Whatever Will Be, Will Be (Que Sera, Sera)" was featured in Alfred Hitchcock's "The Man Who Knew Too Much" and won an Oscar. Ironically, Day hated the song.
In the 60's, Day reinvented herself a bit, a move that led to her most popular phase ever. Most of her films during this time were romantic comedies such as "Pillow Talk," "The Thrill of It All," and "Caprice." However, as times changed and sexuality became more and more of the focus of films, Day's brand of wholesome goodness was no longer popular.
Day's drop in popularity came paired with another shock: her husband died, and shortly thereafter, Day learned that he had squandered away almost all of her money. She sued his business partner and recapped a nice amount, but she was still in debt. Her late husband had also committed her to a television series: "The Doris Day Show," a sitcom which would run from 1968 to 1973. Day retired when the show's run was over.
Since retirement, Day has worked tirelessly for animal welfare, co-founding Actors and Others for Animals and the Doris Day Animal League. She has also written a book, "Doris Day: Her Own Story" and released a greatest hits CD. Day received the 2004 Presidential Medal of Freedom, but, like the honorary Academy Award and awards from the Kennedy Center, Day refused to attend the ceremony because of her fear of flying.
Day was born on April 3, 1924, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to two German immigrants. They named her Doris Mary Anne von Kappelhoff, with Doris coming from the silent movie star Doris Kenyon. Day had two older brothers, one of whom died before she was born.
Day's career first began on radio, then received her first role in the movie "Romance on the High Seas." Day replaced Betty Hutton as the lead when Hutton became pregnant. Although this was Day's first leading role and her first film role ever, the movie was a huge success and the first of many great films for Day, although she had her flops, too.
Day appeared in dramas, comedies, and musicals, and even when she was only acting in a film, she often contributed to its soundtrack. One of her most famous songs, "Whatever Will Be, Will Be (Que Sera, Sera)" was featured in Alfred Hitchcock's "The Man Who Knew Too Much" and won an Oscar. Ironically, Day hated the song.
In the 60's, Day reinvented herself a bit, a move that led to her most popular phase ever. Most of her films during this time were romantic comedies such as "Pillow Talk," "The Thrill of It All," and "Caprice." However, as times changed and sexuality became more and more of the focus of films, Day's brand of wholesome goodness was no longer popular.
Day's drop in popularity came paired with another shock: her husband died, and shortly thereafter, Day learned that he had squandered away almost all of her money. She sued his business partner and recapped a nice amount, but she was still in debt. Her late husband had also committed her to a television series: "The Doris Day Show," a sitcom which would run from 1968 to 1973. Day retired when the show's run was over.
Since retirement, Day has worked tirelessly for animal welfare, co-founding Actors and Others for Animals and the Doris Day Animal League. She has also written a book, "Doris Day: Her Own Story" and released a greatest hits CD. Day received the 2004 Presidential Medal of Freedom, but, like the honorary Academy Award and awards from the Kennedy Center, Day refused to attend the ceremony because of her fear of flying.