Doris Mary Ann Kappelhoff known by her stage name of Doris Day is a famous American actress and singer who rose to fame in 1945 with her hit single “Sentimental Journey”. Day worked with Les Brown & His Band for several years after which she embarked on a solo singing career, recording over 650 songs in 2 decades form 1947-1967. Day also enjoyed great success as an actress appearing in films like ‘Calamity Jones’, ‘The Man Who Knew Too Much’, ‘Pillow Talk’ and ‘Move Over, Darling’. Day hosted the successful ‘The Doris Day Show’ that aired on CBS from 1968-1973.
‘Que Sera, Sera (Whatever will be, will be) is a timeless song that was sung by her for the movie ‘The Man Who Knew Too Much’. The song went on to win the ‘Academy Award for Best Original Song’.
Day was regarded as the biggest female star of her era and has been felicitated with several awards and nominations. Day has been honoured with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, a Society of Singers Legend Award, and the Cecil B. DeMille lifetime Achievement award in motion pictures. She was also felicitated with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2004 by President George W. Bush.
Doris Day died on May 13, 2019, her death was announced by her charity organization, Doris Day Animal Foundation.
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Early Life and Education
Day was born as Doris Mary Ann Kappelhoff on 3 April 1922 in Cincinnati Ohio as the youngest child and only daughter of home-maker Alma Sophia Welz and music teacher cum choir master William Joseph Kappelhoff. Day has German ancestry on both sides of her family. Day was raised by her mother after her parents separated. Her siblings include elder brothers Richard (who passed in infancy, before Day’s birth) and Paul.
Day attended the Hessler school of dancing, Cincinnati and developed a passion for dancing. She formed a duo with Jerry Doherty, performing locally in Cincinnati, but injured her right leg in an accident in 1937 which damaged her prospects of being a professional dancer. While in recovery, Day spent time listening to the radio and singing songs as they played, which led her mother to arrange vocal lessons from Grace Raine, for Day.
Career Rise
Day began her career as a vocalist with WLW radio on their program ‘Carlin’s Carnival’ which led to her being discovered by Barnep Rapp. Rapp appointed Day as a vocalist in 1939 and she adopted the stage name of Doris Day. In 1945, Day released the single ‘Sentimental Journey’ along with Les Brown, which contributed to her overnight success as a singer. By the late 1940’s Day had become a big name in the field of music and collaborated with Brown’s band several times. Ray made her acting debut with the film ‘Romance on the High Seas’ in 1948. Day also sang the song “It’s Magic”, her debut solo which became a huge hit. By early 1950’s Day had established herself as one of the greatest singers and actresses of her generation.
Doris delivered the biggest hit of her career with the 1955 biopic ‘Love ME or Leave Me’ based on the life of dancer and movie star Ruth Etting, for which she received great critical and commercial acclaim. She appeared in the 1959 film ‘Pillow Talk’ which was deemed her most memorable acting performance and later appeared in the hit films ‘Lover Come Back’ and ‘Send Me No Flowers’. Day appeared in several hit films in the 1960’s including ‘The Ballad of Josie’, ‘Where Were You When the Lights Went Out’, ‘With Six You egg Eggroll’ etc after which she retired from films. She later appeared in the TV series ‘The Doris Day Show’ that ran for five seasons from 1968 to 1973 which became her last full-fledged role, after which she made guest appearances on TV.
Doris Day – Young Pictures
Personal Life
Day has been married four times. Day was married to trombonist Al Jorden from 1941 to 1943. The union produced one son named Terrence Paul Jorden. From 1946-1949, Day was married to saxophonist George Weilder. Day then married Martin Melcher in 1951. The marriage lasted until 1968 when Melcher died.
Day’s fourth and final marriage was with Barry Comden, who served as a maître d’hôtel at one of her favourite restaurants. Day and Comden married in 1976 and divorced in 1981.
Latest Pictures
Doris Day – Net Worth
Day has an estimated net worth of approximately $200 Million.