Editing Doris Day

{{Short description|American actress and singer (1922–2019)}}
{{about|the American actress and singer|other uses|Doris Day (disambiguation)}}
{{distinguish|Dorothy Day}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox person
| name = 
| image = DorisDay-midnightlace.jpg
| caption = Day in a publicity portrait.
| birth_name = Doris Mary Kappelhoff
| birth_date = {{birth date|1922|4|3}}
| birth_place = [[Cincinnati]], Ohio, U.S.
| death_date = {{death date and age|2019|5|13|1922|4|3}}
| death_place = [[Carmel Valley, California]], U.S.
| known_for = 
| occupation = {{hlist|Actress|singer}}
| years_active = 1937–2012
| spouse = {{plainlist|
*{{marriage|Al Jorden|1941|1943|end=div.}}
*{{marriage|[[George William Weidler|George Weidler]]|1946|1949|end=div.}}
*{{marriage|[[Martin Melcher]]|1951|1968|end=died}}
*{{marriage|Barry Comden|1976|1982|end=div.}} }}
| children = [[Terry Melcher]]
| website = {{URL|dorisday.com}}
| signature = Doris Day signature.svg
}}

'''Doris Day''' (born '''Doris Mary Kappelhoff'''; April 3, 1922 – May 13, 2019<!-- Do not change her birth date to 1924 or any other date - this has been discussed and resolved on the talk page. -->) was an American actress and singer.<!--Keep most notable occupations in lead per [[MOS:ROLEBIO]]--> She began her career as a [[big band]] singer in 1937, achieving commercial success in 1945 with two No. 1 recordings, "[[Sentimental Journey (song)|Sentimental Journey]]" and "[[My Dreams Are Getting Better All the Time]]" with [[Les Brown (bandleader)|Les Brown and His Band of Renown]]. She left Brown to embark on a solo career and recorded more than 650 songs from 1947 to 1967.

Day was one of the leading [[Cinema of the United States|Hollywood]] film stars of the 1950s and 1960s. Her film career began with ''[[Romance on the High Seas]]'' (1948). She starred in films of many genres, including musicals, comedies, dramas and thrillers. She played the title role in ''[[Calamity Jane (film)|Calamity Jane]]'' (1953) and starred in [[Alfred Hitchcock]]'s ''[[The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956 film)|The Man Who Knew Too Much]]'' (1956) with [[James Stewart]]. She co-starred with [[Rock Hudson]] in three successful comedies, ''[[Pillow Talk]]'' (1959), for which she was nominated for the [[Academy Award for Best Actress]], ''[[Lover Come Back (1961 film)|Lover Come Back]]'' (1961) and ''[[Send Me No Flowers]]'' (1964). She also worked with [[James Garner]] on both ''[[Move Over, Darling]]'' (1963) and ''[[The Thrill of It All (film)|The Thrill of It All]]'' (1963) and starred alongside [[Clark Gable]], [[Cary Grant]], [[James Cagney]], [[David Niven]], [[Ginger Rogers]], [[Jack Lemmon]], [[Frank Sinatra]], [[Kirk Douglas]], [[Lauren Bacall]], and [[Rod Taylor]] in various films. After ending her film career in 1968, she starred in her own television sitcom ''[[The Doris Day Show]]'' (1968–1973).

In 1989, Day was awarded the [[Golden Globe Award|Golden Globe]] and the [[Cecil B. DeMille Award]] for Lifetime Achievement in Motion Pictures. In 2004, she was awarded the [[Presidential Medal of Freedom]]. In 2008, she received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award as well as a Legend Award from the [[Society of Singers]]. In 2011, she was awarded the [[Los Angeles Film Critics Association's Career Achievement Award]]. In 2011, Day released her 29th studio album, ''[[My Heart (Doris Day album)|My Heart]]'', which contained new material and became a UK Top 10 album. {{As of|2020}}, she was one of eight recording artists to have been the top box-office earner in the United States four times.<ref>{{cite web|date=2013|title=Doris Day|url=http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/bic1/BiographiesDetailsPage/BiographiesDetailsWindow?failOverType=&query=&prodId=BIC1&windowstate=normal&contentModules=&display-query=&mode=view&displayGroupName=Biographies&limiter=&currPage=&disableHighlighting=false&displayGroups=&sortBy=&search_within_results=&p=BIC1&action=e&catId=&activityType=&scanId=&documentId=GALE%7CK2419200293&u=xavier_main&jsid=9460d7cd6fd7bee022fae21120e7eb84|access-date=January 15, 2016|website=Biography in Context|publisher=Gale|location=Detroit, MI}}</ref><ref name="AEHotchner1976">{{Cite book|last=Hotchner|first=A.E.|title=Doris Day: Her Own Story|publisher=William Morrow and Company, Inc.|year=1976|isbn=978-0-688-02968-5|location=New York}}</ref>

==Early life==
[[File:Doris Day Childhood Home, Greenlawn Avenue, Evanston, Cincinnati, OH.jpg|thumb|left|Childhood home in Cincinnati]]
Day was born Doris Mary Kappelhoff<ref name="nytimes" /> on April 3, 1922, in [[Cincinnati]], Ohio,<ref name="shes95">{{Cite web|url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/4e59795cb64440bfa2567554e1f53097/only-ap-birthday-surprise-doris-day-shes-really-95|title=Birthday surprise for ageless Doris Day: She's actually 95|last=Elber|first=Lynn|date=April 2, 2017|publisher=[[Associated Press]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170404111630/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/4e59795cb64440bfa2567554e1f53097/only-ap-birthday-surprise-doris-day-shes-really-95|archive-date=April 4, 2017|url-status=dead|access-date=April 2, 2017|quote=A copy of Day's birth certificate, obtained by The Associated Press from Ohio's Office of Vital Statistics, settles the issue: Doris Mary Kappelhoff, her pre-fame name, was born on April 3, 1922, making her 95. Her parents were Alma and William Kappelhoff of Cincinnati.}}</ref> the daughter of [[German Americans|German-American]]<ref>[https://www.philly.com/obituaries/doris-day-death-movies-songs-obituary-20190513.html Actress Doris Day dies at 97] Philly.com May 13, 2019.</ref><ref name="wn">{{cite news |last=Leidinger |first=Paul |date=May 13, 2015 |title=Doris Day heißt eigentlich Doris Mary Ann Kappelhoff |newspaper=Westfälische Nachrichten |url=https://www.wn.de/Welt/Leute/3776715-Weltstar-mit-westfaelischen-Wurzeln-Doris-Day-heisst-eigentlich-Doris-Mary-Ann-Kappelhoff |access-date=December 28, 2019}}</ref><ref name="Reitwiesner">{{cite web | title=Ancestry of Doris Day | last=Reitwiesner | first=William Addams | website=WARGS.COM home page
 | date=April 3, 1924 | url=http://www.wargs.com/other/day.html | access-date=April 3, 2025}}</ref> parents Alma Sophia ([[Maiden and married names|''née'']] Welz; 1895–1976) and William Joseph Kappelhoff (1892–1967). She was named after actress [[Doris Kenyon]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Braun |first1=Eric |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hwczAgAAQBAJ&q=%22Doris+Kenyon%22&pg=PT32 |title=Doris Day |date=2010 |publisher=Orion Publishing Group |isbn=9781409105695 |language=en}}</ref> Her mother was a [[Homemaking|homemaker]], and her father was a music teacher and [[conducting|choirmaster]].{{Sfn|Kaufman|2008|p=4}}<ref name="census">{{Cite web|title=Ancestry.com|url=http://interactive.ancestry.com/2442/m-t0627-03199-April00438/34332334|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224040343/http://interactive.ancestry.com/2442/m-t0627-03199-April00438/34332334|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 24, 2021|quote=Born 1922: age on April 10, 1940, in Hamilton County, Ohio, 91–346 (enumeration district), 2552 Warsaw Avenue, was 18 years old as per 1940 United States Census records; name transcribed incorrectly as "Daris Kappelhoff", included with mother Alma and brother Paul, all with same surname}}. (registration required; initial 14-day free pass)</ref> Her paternal grandfather Franz Joseph Wilhelm Kappelhoff immigrated to the United States in 1875 and settled within the large German community in Cincinnati.<ref name="wn"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://ohiohistorycentral.org/w/German_Ohioans|title=German Ohioans|access-date=December 28, 2019|archive-date=December 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191229085210/https://ohiohistorycentral.org/w/German_Ohioans|url-status=dead}}</ref> For most of her life, Day stated that she was born in 1924, but on the occasion of her 95th birthday, the [[Associated Press]] found her birth certificate that showed a 1922 year of birth.<ref name=shes95 />

Day had two older brothers: Richard (1917–1919), who died before her birth, and Paul (1919–1957).{{Sfn|Hotchner|1975|p=18}} Her father's infidelity caused her parents to separate in 1932 when she was 10.<ref name="AEHotchner1976" /><ref>{{Cite news|first=Cleveland|last=Amory|title=Doris Day talks about Rock Hudson, Ronald Reagan and her own story|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=GIsfAAAAIBAJ&pg=5091,1222023|access-date=August 10, 2013|newspaper=[[Pittsburgh Press]]|date=August 3, 1986}}</ref> She developed an early interest in dance, and in the mid-1930s formed a dance duo with Jerry Doherty that performed in nationwide competitions.<ref name="ParishPitts2003">{{Cite book|last1=Parish|first1=James Robert|last2=Pitts|first2=Michael R.|title=Hollywood songsters. 1. Allyson to Funicello|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GlybVaD6cakC&pg=PA235|access-date=August 8, 2013|date=January 1, 2003|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-0-415-94332-1|page=235}}</ref> She had signed a contract with a casting company to be a dancer and she was preparing to move to Los Angeles to pursue this opportunity.  Family friends that lived just north of Cincinnati, in Hamilton, Ohio planned a going away party for her but tragedy struck on her way to the party.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hodges |first=Josh |date=February 21, 2022 |title=Hamilton's Most Famous Car/Train Collision {{!}} Free Consultation |url=https://thehometownlawyers.com/blog/hamiltons-most-famous-car-train-collision/ |access-date=February 22, 2025 |website=Kruger & Hodges {{!}} Accident Attorneys |language=en-US}}</ref>  On October 13, 1937, while Day was riding with friends, their car collided with a freight train, and she broke her right leg, curtailing her prospects as a professional dancer.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Trenton Friends Regret Injury to Girl Dancer|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/anonymous-celebrity-clipping-oct-18-1937-241850/|access-date=April 3, 2017|work=Hamilton Daily News Journal|date=October 18, 1937|page=7}} {{Free access}}</ref><ref name="BrowneBrowne2001">{{Cite book|last1=Browne|first1=Ray Broadus|last2=Browne|first2=Pat|title=The Guide to United States Popular Culture|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=U3rJxPYT32MC&pg=PA220|access-date=August 8, 2013|year=2001|publisher=Popular Press|isbn=978-0-87972-821-2|pages=220–221}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Broken leg perils career of Cincinnati Dancer--Girl, 16, Is Injured On Eve Of Trip To Hollywood|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/18891829/oct-15-1937-doris-day-train-accident/|access-date=March 7, 2022|work=Cincinnati Enquirer|date=October 15, 1937|page=22}}</ref>

==Career==
===Early career (1938–1947)===
[[File:Doris Day and Bob Crosby (1940).png|thumb|upright|Day and [[Bob Crosby]] (1940)]]
While recovering from her car accident, Day sang along with the radio and discovered her singing talent. She later said: "During this long, boring period, I used to while away a lot of time listening to the radio, sometimes singing along with the likes of [[Benny Goodman]], [[Duke Ellington]], [[Tommy Dorsey]], and [[Glenn Miller]]. But the one radio voice I listened to above others belonged to [[Ella Fitzgerald]]. There was a quality to her voice that fascinated me, and I'd sing along with her, trying to catch the subtle ways she shaded her voice, the casual yet clean way she sang the words."

Day's mother Alma arranged for Doris to receive singing lessons from Grace Raine.{{Sfn|Hotchner|1975|p=38}} After three lessons, Raine told Alma that Day had "tremendous potential" and gave her three lessons per week for the price of one. Years later, Day said that Raine had a greater effect on her singing style and career than had anyone else.{{Sfn|Hotchner|1975|pp=38–39}}
[[File:Doris Day, Aquarium, gottlieb.01841.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Day at the Aquarium Jazz Club, New York (1946)]]

During the eight months when she was receiving singing lessons, Day secured her first professional jobs as a vocalist on the [[WLW]] radio program ''Carlin's Carnival'' and in a local restaurant, Charlie Yee's Shanghai Inn.{{Sfn|Hotchner|1975|pp=40–41}} During her radio performances, she first caught the attention of [[Barney Rapp]], who was seeking a female vocalist and asked her to audition for the job. According to Rapp, he had auditioned about 200 other singers.{{Sfn|Hotchner|1975|p=44}}

In 1939, Rapp suggested the stage name Doris Day<ref>{{cite news|title=Doris Day's sweet success| url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3569113.stm|work=[[BBC News]] |access-date= August 10, 2013|date=April 3, 2004}}</ref> because the Kappelhoff surname was too long for [[Marquee (sign)|marquees]] and he admired her rendition of the song "Day After Day".{{Sfn|Kaufman|2008|p=22}} After working with Rapp, Day worked with bandleaders Jimmy James,<ref>{{cite news|title=To Entertain at Convention Here |url= https://newspaperarchive.com/anonymous-celebrity-clipping-apr-17-1940-241851| access-date=April 3, 2017|work=[[The Lima News]]|date=April 17, 1940|page=11}} {{free access}}</ref> [[Bob Crosby]]<ref name="Sutro2011">{{cite book| last= Sutro| first=Dirk|title=Jazz For Dummies| url= https://books.google.com/books?id=tqkRibY3RHoC&pg=PA112|access-date=August 8, 2013|year=2011|publisher=John Wiley & Sons|isbn=978-1-118-06852-6|page=112}}</ref> and [[Les Brown (bandleader)|Les Brown]].<ref name="Family2009">{{cite book|author=The Guinan Family |title= Lakewood Park |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=zh0zVcyDFxUC&pg=PA72 |access-date= August 8, 2013|date=October 2009| publisher= Arcadia Publishing|isbn=978-0-7385-6578-1|page=72}}</ref> In 1941, Day appeared as a singer in three [[Soundies]] with the Les Brown band.<ref name="TerenzioMacGillivray1991">{{cite book|last1=Terenzio|first1=Maurice|last2=MacGillivray|first2=Scott|last3=Okuda|first3=Ted|title=The Soundies Distributing Corporation of America: a history and filmography of their "jukebox" musical films of the 1940s|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aH5ZAAAAMAAJ|access-date=August 9, 2013|date=1991|publisher=McFarland & Co.|isbn=978-0-89950-578-7|pages=33–35}}</ref>

While working with Brown, Day recorded her first hit recording, "[[Sentimental Journey (song)|Sentimental Journey]]", released in early 1945 and which went to #1 on the Billboard. It soon became an anthem for [[World War II]] servicemen.<ref name=pc1b>{{Pop Chronicles 40s|1|B}}</ref><ref name="Santopietro2008">{{cite book| last=Santopietro|first=Tom|title=Considering Doris Day| url= https://books.google.com/books?id=oXw9voJackQC&pg=PA22|access-date=August 8, 2013|year=2008|publisher=St. Martin's Press|isbn=978-1-4299-3751-1|page=22}}</ref> The song continues to be associated with Day, and she rerecorded it on several occasions, including a version for her 1971 television special.{{Sfn|Braun|2004|p=26|ps=: "It is not surprising&nbsp;... that she took so readily to Christian Science in her later life"}} During 1945–46, Day (as vocalist with the Les Brown Band) had six other top ten hits on the [[Billboard charts|''Billboard'' chart]]: "[[My Dreams Are Getting Better All the Time]]", {{"'}}Tain't Me", "[[Till the End of Time (Buddy Kaye and Ted Mossman song)|Till the End of Time]]", "[[You Won't Be Satisfied (Until You Break My Heart)]]", "The Whole World Is Singing My Song" and [[I Got the Sun in the Mornin'|"I Got the Sun in the Mornin{{'"}}]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Whitburn|first1=Joel|title=Joel Whitburn's Pop Memories 1890–1954|year=1986|publisher=Record Research Inc.|location=Wisconsin|isbn=978-0-89820-083-6|page=[https://archive.org/details/joelwpopmemories00whit/page/63 63]|url=https://archive.org/details/joelwpopmemories00whit/page/63}}</ref> Les Brown said, "As a singer Doris belongs in the company of Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra."<ref name="nytimes" >{{cite web|first=Aljean|last= Harmetz| date= May 13, 2019| title=Doris Day, Movie Star Who Charmed America, Dies at 97| url= https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/13/obituaries/doris-day-death.html| work= [[The New York Times]]| access-date= April 2, 2022 }}</ref>

===Early film career (1948–1954)===
[[File:Starlift DorisDay and GordonMacRae.jpg|thumb|[[Gordon MacRae]] and Day in ''[[Starlift]]'' (1951)]]
While singing with the Les Brown band and for nearly two years on [[Bob Hope]]'s weekly radio program,<ref name="BrowneBrowne2001" /> Day toured extensively across the United States as the era of big bands had given way to solo pop singers.

Her performance of the song "[[Embraceable You]]" impressed songwriter [[Jule Styne]] and his partner [[Sammy Cahn]], and they recommended her for a role in ''[[Romance on the High Seas]]'' (1948). Day was cast for the role after auditioning for director [[Michael Curtiz]].{{Sfn|Hotchner|1975|p=91}}<ref name="Gentry2008">{{Cite book|last=Gentry|first=Philip Max|title=The Age of Anxiety: Music, Politics, and McCarthyism, 1948–1954|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=heSoiBmyRUQC&pg=PA104|access-date=August 8, 2013|year=2008|isbn=978-0-549-90073-3|page=104|archive-date=January 3, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140103010517/http://books.google.com/books?id=heSoiBmyRUQC&pg=PA104|url-status=dead}}</ref> She was shocked to receive the offer and admitted to Curtiz that she was a singer without acting experience but he appreciated her honesty and felt that "her [[freckle]]s made her look like the All-American Girl."<ref name=Tennessee>{{Cite news|title=Michael Curtiz Services Set|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10047302/the_tennessean/|access-date=April 4, 2017|work=[[The Tennessean]]|agency=Associated Press|via=[[Ancestry.com#Newspapers.com|Newspapers.com]]|date=April 12, 1962|page=58}} {{Free access}}</ref>

The film provided her with a No. 2 hit recording as a soloist, "[[It's Magic]]", which occurred two months after her hit "[[Love Somebody (1947 song)|Love Somebody]]", a duet with [[Buddy Clark]] and they would have another hit shortly after that with a cover of Patti Page's "Confess."<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Whitburn|first1=Joel|title=Joel Whitburn's Pop Memories 1890–1954|date=1986|publisher=Record Research Inc|location=Wisconsin|isbn=978-0-89820-083-6|page=[https://archive.org/details/joelwpopmemories00whit/page/122 122]|url=https://archive.org/details/joelwpopmemories00whit/page/122}}</ref> Her first solo hit was "[[Sentimental Journey (song)|Sentimental Journey]]" in 1945. Day recorded "Someone Like You" before the film ''[[My Dream Is Yours]]'' (1949), which featured the song.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8BYEAAAAMBAJ&q=%22Someone+like+You%22+%22Doris+Day%22+-adele+-wikipedia&pg=PA35|title=Billboard|page=35|date=January 15, 1949|access-date=October 19, 2015}}</ref> In 1950, she collaborated as a singer with the [[Slovenian-style polka|polka]] musician [[Frankie Yankovic]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2495167960495392&id=210557938956417 |title=The Polka Hall of Fame Remembers |date=May 20, 2019 |publisher=National Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame Museum}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |url=http://isn.zrc-sazu.si/files/file/Traditiones/Traditiones%2043_2%20separati/97_pdfsam_Traditiones_43_2_txt%20web.pdf |last=Debevec |first=Charles F. |title=Slovenian Recordings Made in America Prior to World War II |journal=Traditiones |volume=42 |issue=2 |year=2014 |publisher=Slovenian Academy of Arts and Sciences |doi=10.3986/traditio2014430205 |page=113}}</ref> and the U.S. servicemen in Korea voted her their favorite star.

Her heyday as a hitmaker was from 1948 to 1951 when she placed 15 songs on the Billboard Hot 30 list and was one of the top female pop vocalists, competing with rivals such as [[Dinah Shore]], [[Jo Stafford]], and [[Patti Page]].

Day continued to appear in light musicals such as ''[[On Moonlight Bay (film)|On Moonlight Bay]]'' (1951), ''[[By the Light of the Silvery Moon (film)|By the Light of the Silvery Moon]]'' (1953) and ''[[Tea for Two (film)|Tea For Two]]'' (1950) for [[Warner Bros.|Warner Bros]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.postbulletin.com/gallery/photos-today-in-history-may/collection_d560d728-5bb0-11e9-abc4-ff386a0fde34.html|title=Photos: Today in History: May 2|website=PostBulletin.com|access-date=May 13, 2019|archive-date=May 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190507160319/https://www.postbulletin.com/gallery/photos-today-in-history-may/collection_d560d728-5bb0-11e9-abc4-ff386a0fde34.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=U3rJxPYT32MC&pg=PA221|title=The Guide to United States Popular Culture|last1=Labov|first1=William|last2=Browne|first2=Ray Broadus|last3=Browne|first3=Pat|date=2001|publisher=Popular Press|isbn=9780879728212|pages=221|language=en}}</ref>
[[File:Calamity Jane trailer.jpg|thumb|left|220px|Day with [[Howard Keel]] in ''[[Calamity Jane (film)|Calamity Jane]]'' (1953)]]
Her most commercially successful film for Warner Bros. was ''[[I'll See You in My Dreams (1951 film)|I'll See You in My Dreams]]'' (1951), a musical biography of lyricist [[Gus Kahn]] that broke box-office records of 20 years. It was Day's fourth film directed by Curtiz.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://cometoverhollywood.com/2014/02/24/musical-monday-ill-see-you-in-my-dreams-1951/|title=Musical Monday: I'll See You in My Dreams (1951)|last=Jnpickens|date=February 24, 2014|publisher=cometoverhollywood.com|access-date=May 13, 2019}}</ref> She appeared as the title character in the comedic western-themed musical ''[[Calamity Jane (film)|Calamity Jane]]'' (1953).<ref>{{Cite news|title=Doris Day Learned How to Flick Bull Whip for Tough Western Role in 'Calamity Jane'|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21285782/the_brooklyn_daily_eagle/|access-date=June 26, 2018|work=[[Brooklyn Eagle|The Brooklyn Daily Eagle]]|date=November 8, 1953|page=31|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Free access}}</ref> A song from the film, "[[Secret Love (Doris Day song)|Secret Love]]", won the [[Academy Award for Best Original Song]] and became Day's fourth No. 1 hit single in the United States.<ref name="Tyler2008">{{Cite book|last=Tyler|first=Don|title=Music of the Postwar Era|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2dgJVseZAlsC&pg=PA110|access-date=August 9, 2013|year=2008|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=978-0-313-34191-5|page=110}}</ref>

Between 1950 and 1953, the albums from six of her film musicals charted in the Top 10, including three that reached No. 1. After filming ''[[Lucky Me (film)|Lucky Me]]'' (1954) with [[Robert Cummings|Bob Cummings]] and ''[[Young at Heart (1955 film)|Young at Heart]]'' (1955) with [[Frank Sinatra]], Day elected to not renew her contract with Warner Brothers.<ref name="Palmer2010">{{Cite book|last=Palmer|first=R. Barton|title=Larger Than Life: Movie Stars of the 1950s|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=23l_vDGkyoYC&pg=PA154|access-date=August 9, 2013|date=2010|publisher=Rutgers University Press|isbn=978-0-8135-4994-1|page=154}}</ref>

During this period, Day also had her own radio program, ''[[The Doris Day Show (radio program)|The Doris Day Show]]''. It was broadcast on CBS in 1952–1953.<ref name="dunningota">{{cite book |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=EwtRbXNca0oC&dq=%22The+Doris+Day+show,%22&pg=PA207 |last=Dunning |first=John |author-link=John Dunning (detective fiction author) |title=On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio |date=1998 |section=The Doris Day Show |publisher=Oxford University Press |location=New York, NY |isbn=978-0-19-507678-3 |page=207|edition=Revised |access-date=September 21, 2019}}</ref>

===Breakthrough (1955–1958)===
[[File:Cameron Mitchell, Doris Day, and James Cagney.jpg|thumb|Cameron Mitchell, Day and James Cagney in a publicity still for ''[[Love Me or Leave Me (film)|Love Me or Leave Me]]'' (1955)]]
Primarily recognized as a musical-comedy actress, Day began to accept more dramatic roles in order to broaden her range. Her dramatic star turn as singer [[Ruth Etting]] in ''[[Love Me or Leave Me (film)|Love Me or Leave Me]]'' (1955), with top billing above [[James Cagney]], received critical and commercial success, becoming Day's greatest film success to that point.<ref name="LisantiPaul2002">{{cite book|last1=Lisanti|first1=Tom|last2=Paul|first2=Louis|title=Film Fatales: Women in Espionage Films and Television, 1962–1973|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4VJCaXXANA0C&pg=PA104|access-date=August 8, 2013|date=2002|publisher=McFarland|isbn=978-0-7864-1194-8|page=104}}</ref> Cagney said that she had "the ability to project the simple, direct statement of a simple, direct idea without cluttering it," comparing her performance to that of [[Laurette Taylor]] in the Broadway production ''[[The Glass Menagerie]]'' (1945).<ref>Aljean Harmetz (2019). "Doris Day, Charming Star With a Golden Voice, Dies at 97". ''The New York Times''. p. 7</ref> Day felt that it was her best film performance. The film's producer [[Joe Pasternak]] said, "I was stunned that Doris did not get an Oscar nomination."<ref>{{cite web|last1=Bawden|first1=Jim|title=His long career making top films also made many stars|url=http://www.thecolumnists.com/bawden/bawden59.html|publisher=TheColumnists.com|access-date=April 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120101131004/http://www.thecolumnists.com/bawden/bawden59.html|archive-date=January 1, 2012}}</ref> The film's soundtrack album became a No. 1 hit.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Best Selling Popular Albums|magazine=Billboard|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yCEEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA94|access-date=April 3, 2017|date=November 12, 1955|page=94}}</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqZelp1SDsA ''Love Me Or Leave Me'' – Trailer], Warner Movies</ref>

Day starred in [[Alfred Hitchcock]]'s suspense film ''[[The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956 film)]]'' opposite James Stewart. She sang two songs in the film, "[[Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be)]]", which won an [[Academy Award for Best Original Song]],<ref name="Tyler2008 2">{{cite book|last=Tyler|first=Don|title=Music of the Postwar Era|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2dgJVseZAlsC&pg=PA113|access-date=August 8, 2013|year=2008|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=978-0-313-34191-5|pages=113–14}}</ref> and "We'll Love Again". The film was Day's 10th to reach the top 10 at the box office. She played the title role in the film noir thriller ''[[Julie (1956 film)|Julie]]'' (1956) with [[Louis Jourdan]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Doris Day Due Tonight for Premiere|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21285390/the_cincinnati_enquirer/|access-date=June 26, 2018|work=The Cincinnati Enquirer|date=October 7, 1956|via=Newspapers.com}} {{free access}}</ref>

After three successive dramatic films, Day returned to her musical/comedic roots in ''[[The Pajama Game (film)|The Pajama Game]]'' (1957) with [[John Raitt]], based on the Broadway play of [[The Pajama Game|the same name]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Stratton|first1=David|title=The Pajama Game: The Classic|url=http://www.abc.net.au/atthemovies/txt/s4128422.htm|website=[[At the Movies (Australian TV series)|At the Movies]]|access-date=April 3, 2017|date=November 19, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170324224243/http://www.abc.net.au/atthemovies/txt/s4128422.htm|archive-date=March 24, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> She appeared in the [[Paramount Pictures|Paramount]] comedy ''[[Teacher's Pet (1958 film)|Teacher's Pet]]'' (1958) alongside [[Clark Gable]] and [[Gig Young]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=W.|first1=A.|title='Teacher's Pet', Story of Fourth Estate, Opens at Capitol|url=https://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9E07E0DE1031E73BBC4851DFB5668383649EDE|access-date=April 3, 2017|work=The New York Times|date=March 20, 1958}}</ref> She costarred with [[Richard Widmark]] and Gig Young in the romantic comedy film ''[[The Tunnel of Love]]'' (1958)<ref>{{cite news|last1=Crowther|first1=Bosley|title='Tunnel of Love'; Widmark, Doris Day Star in Roxy Film|url=https://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9E01EED9143DE53BBC4A51DFB7678383649EDE|access-date=April 3, 2017|work=The New York Times|date=November 22, 1958}}</ref> and with [[Jack Lemmon]] in ''[[It Happened to Jane]]'' (1959).

''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]''{{'s}} annual nationwide poll of disc jockeys had ranked Day as the No. 1 female vocalist nine times in ten years (1949 through 1958), but her success and popularity as a singer was now being overshadowed by her box-office appeal. However, Day still had several more major hits over the '50s, including "Secret Love", "I'll Never Stop Loving You", and "Que Sera Sera (Whatever Will Be Will Be)" despite rock-and-roll reducing interest in older singers. The last charting single she had was "Lover Come Back" in 1962.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dorisday.net/recordings/|title=The Films of Doris Day: recordings|website=Dorisday.net|date=October 14, 2015 }}</ref>

===Box-office success (1959–1968)===
In 1959, Day entered her most successful phase as a film actress with a series of romantic comedies<ref name="Gourley2008">{{cite book|last=Gourley|first=Catherine|title=Gidgets and Women Warriors: Perceptions of Women in the 1950s and 1960s|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7lH55EmxkbkC&pg=PA40|access-date=August 8, 2013|year=2008|publisher=Twenty-First Century Books|isbn=978-0-8225-6805-6|page=40}}</ref><ref name="Monteith2008">{{cite book|last=Monteith|first=Sharon|title=American Culture in the 1960s|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6dG0vvkizM0C&pg=PA80|access-date=August 8, 2013|year=2008|publisher=Edinburgh University Press|isbn=978-0-7486-1947-4|page=80}}</ref> beginning with ''[[Pillow Talk (film)|Pillow Talk]]'' (1959), costarring [[Rock Hudson]], who became a lifelong friend, and [[Tony Randall]]. Day received a nomination for an [[Academy Award for Best Actress]],<ref name="Finler2003">{{cite book|last=Finler|first=Joel Waldo|title=The Hollywood Story|url=https://archive.org/details/hollywoodstory0000finl|url-access=registration|access-date=August 9, 2013|year=2003|publisher=Wallflower Press|isbn=978-1-903364-66-6|page=[https://archive.org/details/hollywoodstory0000finl/page/281 281]}}</ref> her only career Oscar nomination.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pillow Talk |last=Levy |first=Emanuel |author-link=Emanuel Levy |date=July 25, 2007 |url=http://emanuellevy.com/review/dvd/pillow-talk-5/ }}{{Dead link|date=February 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Day, Hudson and Randall appeared in two more films together, ''[[Lover Come Back (1961 film)|Lover Come Back]]'' (1961) and ''[[Send Me No Flowers]]'' (1964).<ref name="Glitre2006">{{cite book|last=Glitre|first=Kathrina|title=Hollywood Romantic Comedy: States of the Union, 1934–1965|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BV7iokIuY4MC&pg=PA159|access-date=August 9, 2013|date=2006|publisher=Manchester University Press|isbn=978-0-7190-7079-2|page=159}}</ref>

Along with [[David Niven]] and [[Janis Paige]], Day starred in ''[[Please Don't Eat the Daisies (film)|Please Don't Eat the Daisies]]'' (1960) and with [[Cary Grant]] in the comedy ''[[That Touch of Mink]]'' (1962).<ref>{{cite web |title=Doris Day, Cary Grant, That Touch of Mink (1962) {{!}} The Films of Doris Day |url=https://www.dorisday.net/that-touch-of-mink/ |website=www.dorisday.net|date=July 25, 2015 }}</ref> During 1960 and the 1962-1964 period, she ranked No. 1 at the box office, the second woman to be No. 1 four times, an accomplishment equaled by no other actress except [[Shirley Temple]].<ref name="AljeanHarmetz">{{cite web | last=Harmetz | first=Aljean | title=Doris Day, Movie Star Who Charmed America, Dies at 97 | website=The New York Times | date=May 13, 2019 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/13/obituaries/doris-day-death.html | access-date=April 3, 2025}}</ref> She set a record that has yet to be matched by receiving seven consecutive [[Laurel Awards]] as the top female box-office star.<ref name="Morris1976">{{cite book|last=Morris|first=George|title=Doris Day|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bu9kAAAAMAAJ|access-date=August 9, 2013|year=1976|publisher=Pyramid Publications|isbn=978-0-515-03959-7|page=10}}</ref>

Day teamed with James Garner starting with ''[[The Thrill of It All (film)|The Thrill of It All]]'', followed by ''[[Move Over, Darling]]'' (both 1963).<ref name="Harding2012">{{cite book|last=Harding|first=Les|title=They Knew Marilyn Monroe: Famous Persons in the Life of the Hollywood Icon|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rvwH7euUccIC&pg=PA47|access-date=August 8, 2013|year=2012|publisher=McFarland|isbn=978-0-7864-9014-1|page=47}}</ref> The film's theme song "[[Move Over Darling (song)|Move Over Darling]]", cowritten by her son, reached No. 8 in the UK.<ref name="Pilchak2005">{{cite book|last=Pilchak|first=Angela|title=Contemporary Musicians: Profiles of the People in Music|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6wk5AQAAIAAJ|access-date=August 9, 2013|date=2005|publisher=Gale|page=133|isbn=9780787680664}}</ref> Between these comedic film appearances, Day costarred with [[Rex Harrison]] in the thriller ''[[Midnight Lace]]'' (1960), an update of the stage thriller ''[[Gaslight (play)|Gaslight]]''.<ref name="Waller1987">{{cite book|last=Waller|first=Gregory Albert|title=American Horrors: Essays on the Modern American Horror Film|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AavstWM6jjIC&pg=PA166|access-date=August 8, 2013|date=1987|publisher=University of Illinois Press|isbn=978-0-252-01448-2|page=166}}</ref>

Day's next film ''[[Do Not Disturb (1965 film)|Do Not Disturb]]'' (1965) was popular with audiences, but her popularity soon waned. By the late 1960s, in the period of the emerging [[Sexual Revolution]], some critics and comics dubbed Day "The World's Oldest Virgin,"<ref>{{Cite journal|journal=Doris Day|type=Filmography|title=[[The American Film Institute Catalog of Motion Pictures]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=McCormick|first=Neil|title=Doris Day: sexy side of the girl next door|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/8711630/Doris-Day-sexy-side-of-the-girl-next-door.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/8711630/Doris-Day-sexy-side-of-the-girl-next-door.html |archive-date=January 10, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=August 8, 2013|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=August 20, 2011|location=London}}{{cbignore}}</ref> and she slipped from the list of top box-office stars, last appearing in the top ten with the hit film ''[[The Glass Bottom Boat]]'' (1966). Among the roles that she declined was that of Mrs. Robinson in ''[[The Graduate]]'', a role that eventually went to [[Anne Bancroft]].<ref name="Grindon2011">{{cite book|last=Grindon|first=Leger|title=The Hollywood Romantic Comedy: Conventions, History and Controversies|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=okkZPTEnYqMC&pg=PT87|access-date=August 8, 2013|date=2011|publisher=John Wiley & Sons|isbn=978-1-4443-9595-2|page=87}}</ref> In her memoirs, Day said that she had rejected the part on moral grounds, finding the script "vulgar and offensive."<ref>{{cite web|last=Kashner|first=Sam|title=Here's to You, Mr. Nichols: The Making of ''The Graduate''|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2008/03/graduate200803|access-date=January 17, 2014|work=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]|date=March 2008}}</ref>

As another sign of the times, Day was dropped from Columbia Records in 1965 when the label fired long-running pop division head [[Mitch Miller]] and began hiring new, young, and rock-focused management. With two exceptions, this termination effectively ended her recording career.

Day starred in the Western film ''[[The Ballad of Josie]]'' in 1967. That same year, Day recorded ''[[The Love Album (Doris Day album)|The Love Album]]'', although it was not released until 1994.<ref name="Day">{{cite web|url=http://www.dorisday.com/about|type=Official website|title=About|access-date=September 23, 2010}}</ref> In 1968, she starred in the comedy film ''[[Where Were You When the Lights Went Out?]]'' about the [[Northeast blackout of November 9, 1965]]. Her final feature, the comedy ''[[With Six You Get Eggroll]]'', was released in 1968.<ref name=TCM2013>{{cite web|last=Landazuri|first=Margarita|title=With Six You Get Eggroll|url=https://www.tcm.com/this-month/article/202563|work=Turner Classic Movies|access-date=August 8, 2013}}</ref>

From 1959 to 1970, Day received nine Laurel Award nominations (and won four times) for best female performance in eight comedies and one drama. From 1959 through 1969, she received six [[Golden Globe]] nominations for best female performance in three comedies, one drama (''Midnight Lace''), one musical (''Jumbo'') and her television series.<ref>{{cite web|title=Doris Day|url=http://www.goldenglobes.com/person/doris-day|publisher=[[Golden Globes]]|access-date=January 26, 2016}}</ref>

===Bankruptcy and television career===
[[File:Doris Day on television show set.JPG|thumb|left|On the set of ''[[The Doris Day Show]]'']]
After her third husband [[Martin Melcher]] died on April 20, 1968, Day was shocked to discover that Melcher and his business partner and advisor Jerome Bernard Rosenthal had squandered her earnings, leaving her deeply in debt.<ref name="Sonneborn2002">{{cite book|last=Sonneborn|first=Liz|title=A to Z of American Women in the Performing Arts|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Yf2741A_BkYC&pg=PA52|access-date=August 8, 2013|date=2002|publisher=Infobase Publishing|isbn=978-1-4381-0790-5|page=52}}</ref> Rosenthal had been her attorney since 1949 when he had represented her in her uncontested divorce action against her second husband, saxophonist [[George W. Weidler]]. Day filed suit against Rosenthal in February 1969 and won a successful decision in 1974, but she did not receive compensation until a settlement was reached in 1979.<ref name=metnews>{{cite news|last=Grace|first=Roger M.|title='Uncle Jerry' Faces the Music in Court, in State Bar Proceeding|url=http://www.metnews.com/articles/2007/perspectives100907.htm|access-date=August 8, 2013|newspaper=Metropolitan News-Enterprise}}</ref>

Day also learned to her displeasure that Melcher had committed her to a television series that became ''[[The Doris Day Show]]''.

{{blockquote|text=It was awful. I was really, really not very well when Marty [Melcher] passed away, and the thought of going into TV was overpowering. But he'd signed me up for a series. And then my son Terry [Melcher] took me walking in [[Beverly Hills]] and explained that it wasn't nearly the end of it. I had also been signed up for a bunch of TV specials, all without anyone ever asking me.|author=Doris Day|source=''OK!'' magazine, 1996<ref>{{cite news|title=5 Things You Didn't Know About Doris Day|url=https://www.etonline.com/5-things-you-didnt-know-about-doris-day-from-rejecting-her-americas-virgin-image-to-not-knowing-her#:~:text=She%20actually%20didn%27t,from%201968%2D1973.|accessdate=22 November 2024|publisher=etonline.com}}</ref>}}

Day hated the idea of performing on television but felt obligated to forge ahead with the series.<ref name="TCM2013"/> The first episode of ''The Doris Day Show'' aired on September 24, 1968,<ref>{{cite news|title=Doris Day Heads Own Show|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2406&dat=19680912&id=XwMrAAAAIBAJ&pg=2991,4638121|access-date=January 26, 2016|work=Hawkins County Post|date=September 12, 1968}}</ref> and featured a rerecorded version of "Que Sera, Sera" as its theme song. Day persevered with the show, needing to work to repay her debts, but only after [[CBS]] ceded creative control to her and her son. The show enjoyed a successful five-year run,<ref name="ABCSnares">{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1345&dat=19901003&id=mhhXAAAAIBAJ&pg=6790,370864|title=ABC snares Doris Day for TV movies|access-date=January 26, 2016|work=Spokane Chronicle|date=October 3, 1990}}</ref> although it may be best remembered for its abrupt season-to-season changes in casting and premise.{{Sfn|McGee|2005|pp=227–28}}
[[File:Doris Day John Denver 1975.JPG|thumb|Day with [[John Denver]] on the TV special ''Doris Day Today''<br />(CBS, February 19, 1975)<ref name=IMDbToday />]]
After the end of the television show's run in 1973, Day largely retired from acting but completed two television specials, ''The Doris Mary Anne Kappelhoff Special'' (1971)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0356548/|title=The Doris Mary Anne Kappelhoff Special|access-date=April 17, 2019|website=IMDb|date=March 14, 1971}}</ref> and ''Doris Day Today'' (1975),<ref name=IMDbToday>{{cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0313992/|title=Doris Day Today|access-date=April 17, 2019|website=IMDb|date=February 19, 1975}}</ref> and she was a guest on various shows in the 1970s. In 1985 she also recorded new musical material; these recordings were eventually released in 2011 as ''The Love Album.''

In the 1985–86 season, Day hosted her own television talk show, ''Doris Day's Best Friends'', on the [[Christian Broadcasting Network]] (CBN).<ref name="ABCSnares"/><ref>{{cite news|last=Oberman|first=Tracy-Ann|title=Rock and Doris and Elizabeth: a moment that changed Hollywood|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2012/oct/15/rock-hudson-revealed-aids|work=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=July 4, 2013|date=October 16, 2012|location=London}}</ref> The network canceled the show after 26 episodes despite the worldwide publicity that it had received. One episode featured [[Rock Hudson]], who was showing the first public symptoms of [[HIV/AIDS|AIDS]], including severe weight loss and fatigue. He died from the disease later that year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20202713,00.html|title=Hudson's Day of Revelation|last=Martin|first=James A.|date=July 11, 1997|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=December 25, 2012|archive-date=July 2, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120702210612/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20202713,00.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Day later said, "He was very sick. But I just brushed that off and I came out and put my arms around him and said, 'Am I glad to see you'."<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/13/obituaries/doris-day-death.html|title= Wholesome Box-Office Star and Golden Voice of 'Que Sera, Sera|last= Harmetz|first= Aljean|date= May 13, 2019|website= [[The New York Times]]|access-date= June 18, 2019|quote= Ms.Day said, "He was very sick. But I just brushed that off and I came out and put my arms around him and said, 'Am I glad to see you.}}</ref>

===1980s and 1990s===
In October 1985, the [[Supreme Court of California]] rejected Rosenthal's appeal of the multimillion-dollar judgment awarded to Day in her suit against him for [[legal malpractice]] and upheld the conclusions of a trial court and an appeals court<ref>
''Day v. Rosenthal'', 170 Cal.App.3d 1132 (1985)</ref> that Rosenthal had acted improperly.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-10-17-mn-14780-story.html|title=High Court Rejects Judgment Appeal : Doris Day Wins 17-Year Battle With Ex-Attorney|last=Morain|first=Dan|date=October 17, 1985|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=May 14, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035}}</ref> In April 1986, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to review the lower court's judgment. In June 1987, Rosenthal filed a $30&nbsp;million lawsuit against lawyers who he claimed had cheated him out of millions of dollars in real-estate investments. He named Day as a codefendant, describing her as an "unwilling, involuntary plaintiff whose consent cannot be obtained." Rosenthal claimed that much of the money that Day had lost was the result of the unwise advice of other attorneys who had suggested that she sell three hotels at a loss, as well as some oil leases in [[Kentucky]] and [[Ohio]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-06-14-re-7056-story.html|title=Doris Day Investments Subject of Suit|last=Ryon|first=Ruth|date=June 14, 1987|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=May 14, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035}}</ref> He claimed that he had made the investments under a long-term plan and did not intend to sell them until they appreciated in value. Two of the hotels sold in 1970 for about $7&nbsp;million, and their estimated worth in 1986 was $50&nbsp;million.<ref name="Disbarred1987">{{cite news|last=Hager|first=Philip|title=Doris Day's Former Lawyer Disbarred|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-07-14-mn-4016-story.html|access-date=August 9, 2013|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=July 14, 1987}}</ref>

[[Terry Melcher]] stated that his father's premature death saved Day from financial ruin. It was not known whether Martin Melcher had himself been duped by Rosenthal,<ref name="Champlin1988">{{cite news|last=Champlin|first=Charles|title=Doris Day: Singing and Looking for Pet Projects|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-03-13-ca-1534-story.html|access-date=August 9, 2013|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=March 13, 1988}}</ref> and Day stated publicly that she believed him to be innocent of any deliberate wrongdoing, stating that he "simply trusted the wrong person."<ref>{{Citation|title=Doris Day: A Sentimental Journey|type=Television Documentary|publisher=Arwin Productions, PBS|year=1991}}</ref> According to author David Kaufman, Day's former costar [[Louis Jourdan]] maintained that Day disliked her husband,<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Kaufman|first=David|title=Doris Day's Vanishing Act|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2008/05/dorisday200805|magazine=Vanity Fair|access-date=January 17, 2014|date=May 2008|ref=none|quote=Both Doris and I hated the director [Andrew L. Stone]. I also disliked her husband, and I was surprised to discover she did, too.}}</ref> but Day's public statements regarding Melcher appear to contradict that assertion.{{Sfn|Hotchner|1975|p=226}}

Day was scheduled to present, along with [[Patrick Swayze]] and [[Marvin Hamlisch]], the award for Best Original Score Oscar at the [[61st Academy Awards]] in March 1989, but she suffered a deep leg cut from a sprinkler and was unable to attend.<ref>{{cite news|title=Cut keeps Doris Day from Academy Awards|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10047563/the_republic/|access-date=April 4, 2017|work=[[The Republic (Columbus, Indiana)|The Republic]]|agency=Associated Press|via=Newspapers.com|date=March 30, 1989|page=A2}} {{free access}}</ref>

Day was inducted into the Ohio Women's Hall of Fame in 1981 and received the Cecil B. DeMille Award for career achievement in 1989.<ref>video: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhdtG6CtT0k "Doris Day Receives the Cecil B. Demille Award – Golden Globes 1989"], Dick Clark Productions</ref> In 1994, Day's ''Greatest Hits'' album entered the British charts.<ref name="Day" /> Her cover of "[[Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps]]" was included in the soundtrack of the Australian film ''[[Strictly Ballroom]].''<ref>{{cite web|last=Ruhlmann|first=William|title=Strictly Ballroom [CBS] – Original Soundtrack|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/strictly-ballroom-cbs-mw0000090706|work=AllMusic|access-date=August 8, 2013}}</ref>

===2000s===
Day participated in celebrations of her birthday with an annual Doris Day music marathon.<ref>[http://wvxu.org/post/preview-doris-day-movie-marathon-happening-april-3#stream/0 "A preview of the Doris Day Movie Marathon happening April 3"], WVXU, March 28, 2014</ref>

She declined tribute offers from the [[American Film Institute]] and the [[Kennedy Center Honors]] because they both require that recipients attend in person. In 2004, she was awarded the [[Presidential Medal of Freedom]] by President [[George W. Bush]] for her achievements in the entertainment industry and for her work on behalf of animals.<ref name=Medal>{{cite news|title=President Bush Presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom|url=https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2004/06/20040623-8.html|access-date=January 17, 2014|newspaper=[[White House]]|date=June 23, 2004|agency=[[White House Office of the Press Secretary]]}}</ref> President Bush stated:{{blockquote|text=In the years since, she has kept her fans and shown the breadth of her talent in television and the movies. She starred on screen with leading men from Jimmy Stewart to Ronald Reagan, from Rock Hudson to James Garner. It was a good day for America when Doris Marianne von Kappelhoff (sic) of Evanston, Ohio decided to become an entertainer. It was a good day for our fellow creatures when she gave her good heart to the cause of animal welfare. Doris Day is one of the greats, and America will always love its sweetheart.<ref name=Medal/>}}

Columnist [[Liz Smith (journalist)|Liz Smith]] and film critic [[Rex Reed]] mounted vigorous campaigns to gather support for an [[Academy Honorary Award]] for Day.<ref>{{cite web|last=Smith|first=Liz|title=Let's Give Doris Day An Award|url=http://www.thirdage.com/blogs/lets-give-doris-day-award|work=ThirdAge|access-date=August 8, 2013|date=November 27, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112045801/http://www.thirdage.com/blogs/lets-give-doris-day-award|archive-date=November 12, 2013|quote=When, oh when, will Doris receive her long-overdue honorary Academy Award?}}</ref> According to ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'', the academy had offered her the honorary Oscar multiple times, but she declined as she saw the film industry as a part of her past life.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/at-95-doris-day-gets-as-tabloid-ink-as-kardashians-990478|title=At 95, Doris Day Gets As Much Tabloid Ink As the Kardashians|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=April 3, 2017}}</ref> Day received a [[Grammy Awards|Grammy]] for Lifetime Achievement in Music in 2008, albeit again in absentia.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lifetime Achievement Award|url=http://www.grammy.org/recording-academy/awards/lifetime-awards|work=grammy.org|access-date=July 4, 2013|archive-date=February 17, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110217153829/http://www.grammy.org/recording-academy/awards/lifetime-awards|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Day received Grammy Hall of Fame Awards in 1998, 1999 and 2012 for her recordings of "Sentimental Journey", "Secret Love" and "Que Sera, Sera", respectively.<ref>{{cite web|title=GRAMMY Hall of Fame|url=https://www.grammy.org/recording-academy/awards/hall-of-fame|website=Grammy.org|publisher=[[The Recording Academy]]|access-date=April 3, 2017|archive-date=June 26, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626200735/https://www.grammy.org/recording-academy/awards/hall-of-fame|url-status=dead}}</ref> She was inducted into the Hit Parade Hall of Fame in 2007,<ref>{{cite web|title=Inductees|url=http://hitparadehalloffame.com/inductees/|work=[[Hit Parade Hall of Fame]]|access-date=January 17, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006085333/http://hitparadehalloffame.com/inductees/|archive-date=October 6, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> and in 2010 received the first Legend Award presented by the Society of Singers.<ref name="Day"/>

===2010s===
At the age of 89, Day released ''[[My Heart (Doris Day album)|My Heart]]'' in the United Kingdom on September 5, 2011, her first new album since the 1994 release of ''[[The Love Album (Doris Day album)|The Love Album]]'', which had been recorded in 1967.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Cody|first1=Antony|title=Doris Day releases first album in 17 years|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/rockandpopfeatures/8733546/Doris-Day-releases-first-album-in-17-years.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/rockandpopfeatures/8733546/Doris-Day-releases-first-album-in-17-years.html |archive-date=January 10, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=May 18, 2017|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|date=September 1, 2011}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The album is a compilation of previously unreleased recordings produced by Day's son Terry Melcher. Tracks include the 1970s [[Joe Cocker]] hit "[[You Are So Beautiful]]", [[the Beach Boys]]' "[[Disney Girls (1957)|Disney Girls]]" and jazz standards such as "[[My Buddy (song)|My Buddy]]", which Day originally sang in the film ''I'll See You in My Dreams'' (1951).<ref>{{cite news|last1=Elber|first1=Lynn|title=Doris Day sings out for 1st time in 17 years|url=https://www.pressreader.com/usa/pittsburgh-post-gazette/20111129/284459980533887|access-date=May 18, 2017|work=[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]]|agency=Associated Press|date=November 29, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Cooper|first1=Leonie|title=87 year-old Doris Day to release new album|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/various-artists-3568-1271721|access-date=May 18, 2017|work=NME|date=August 15, 2011}}</ref>

In the U.S., the album reached No. 12 on [[Amazon (company)|Amazon]]'s bestseller list and helped raise funds for the [[Doris Day Animal League]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/464665/weekly-chart-notes-doris-day-gloria-estefan-selena-gomez|title=Weekly Chart Notes: Doris Day, Gloria Estefan, Selena Gomez&nbsp;– Chart Beat|magazine=Billboard|access-date=April 4, 2012}}</ref> Day became the oldest artist to score a UK Top 10 with an album featuring new material.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-14870590|work=BBC News|title=Doris Day makes UK chart history|date=September 11, 2011|access-date=April 4, 2012}}</ref>

In January 2012, the [[Los Angeles Film Critics Association]] presented Day with a Lifetime Achievement Award.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/awards/column-post/doris-day-wins-lifetime-achievement-award-la-film-critics-32300|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111031080033/http://www.thewrap.com/awards/column-post/doris-day-wins-lifetime-achievement-award-la-film-critics-32300|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 31, 2011|title=Doris Day Wins Lifetime Achievement Award from L.A. Film Critics|date=October 29, 2011|publisher=The wrap|access-date=December 12, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Kilday|first1=Gregg|title=Doris Day to Receive Career Achievement Award From Los Angeles Film Critics Association|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/doris-day-los-angeles-film-critics-association-awards-254981|access-date=April 4, 2017|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=October 29, 2011}}</ref>

In April 2014, Day made an unexpected public appearance to attend the annual Doris Day Animal Foundation benefit.<ref>{{cite news|last1=McNeil|first1=Liz|title=Doris Day Makes Her First Public Appearance in More Than 2 Decades|url=https://people.com/celebrity/doris-day-makes-her-first-public-appearance-in-more-than-2-decades/|access-date=June 26, 2018|work=People|date=April 9, 2014}}</ref>

[[Clint Eastwood]] offered Day a role in a film that he was planning to direct in 2015,<ref>{{cite news|last1=Lee|first1=Benjamin|title=Doris Day reportedly lured out of retirement by Clint Eastwood|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/sep/22/doris-day-out-retirement-clint-eastwood|access-date=June 26, 2018|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=September 22, 2015}}</ref> but she eventually declined.<ref>{{cite news|title=Doris Day: not quite the girl next door|url=https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/doris-day-not-quite-the-girl-next-door-34588666.html|access-date=June 26, 2018|work=[[Irish Independent]]|date=April 3, 2016}}</ref>

Day granted ABC a telephone interview on her birthday in 2016 that was accompanied by photos of her life and career.<ref>{{cite web|title=Doris Day Shares Never-Before-Seen Photo for 92nd Birthday|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/doris-day-celebrates-92nd-birthday-poses-photos/story?id=38139254|website=ABC News|access-date=May 18, 2017|date=April 5, 2016}}</ref>

==Activism==
During the filming of ''[[The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956 film)|The Man Who Knew Too Much]]'', Day observed the mistreatment of animals in a marketplace scene and was inspired to act against animal abuse. She was so appalled at the conditions with which the animals used in filming were kept that she refused to work unless they received sufficient food and proper care. The production company erected feeding stations for the animals and fed them every day before Day would agree to return to work.

In 1971, she cofounded Actors and Others for Animals and appeared in a series of newspaper advertisements denouncing the wearing of fur along with [[Mary Tyler Moore]], [[Angie Dickinson]] and [[Jayne Meadows]].{{Sfn|Patrick|McGee|2006|p=132|ps=, photograph of ad.}}

In 1978, Day founded the Doris Day Pet Foundation, now the Doris Day Animal Foundation (DDAF).<ref name="Grudens2001">{{cite book|last=Grudens|first=Richard|title=Sally Bennett's Magic Moments|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=R6M6S4t4ejcC&pg=PA115|access-date=August 8, 2013|year=2001|publisher=Celebrity Profiles Publishing|isbn=978-1-57579-181-4|page=115}}</ref> An independent nonprofit [[501(c)(3) organization|501(c)(3) grant-giving public charity]], DDAF funds other nonprofit causes that promote animal welfare.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dorisdayanimalfoundation.org/about.html|title=About DDAF|newspaper=Doris Day Animal Foundation|access-date=July 30, 2013}}</ref>

To complement the Doris Day Animal Foundation, Day formed the [[Doris Day Animal League]] (DDAL) in 1987, a national nonprofit citizens' lobbying organization on behalf of animals.<ref>{{cite book|title=Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul: Stories about Pets as Teachers, Healers, Heroes, and Friends|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QIPdhSiMN48C&pg=PA385|access-date=August 8, 2013|year=1998|publisher=HCI Books|isbn=978-1-55874-571-1|page=385|archive-date=February 1, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201175143/http://books.google.com/books?id=QIPdhSiMN48C&pg=PA385|url-status=dead}}</ref> Day actively lobbied the [[United States Congress]] in support of legislation designed to safeguard [[animal welfare]] on a number of occasions, and in 1995 she originated the annual [[World Spay Day]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Join 'Spay Day USA' campaign|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1320&dat=19950131&id=EUNWAAAAIBAJ&pg=3068,7529821|access-date=January 15, 2016|work=[[Gainesville Sun]]|date=January 31, 1995}}</ref> The DDAL merged into the [[Humane Society of the United States]] (HSUS) in 2006.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/06/AR2006090601770.html|title=Merger Adds to Humane Society's Bite|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=June 5, 2007|first=Judy|last=Sarasohn|date=September 7, 2006}}</ref>

The Doris Day Horse Rescue and Adoption Center, which helps abused and neglected horses, opened in 2011 in [[Murchison, Texas]] on the grounds of an animal sanctuary started by Day's late friend, author [[Cleveland Amory]].<ref name="Patrick-Goudreau2011">{{cite book|last=Patrick-Goudreau|first=Colleen|title=Vegan's Daily Companion: 365 Days of Inspiration for Cooking, Eating, and Living Compassionately|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZNN8Cgwmj3kC&pg=PA49|access-date=August 8, 2013|year=2011|publisher=Quarry Books|isbn=978-1-61058-015-1|page=49}}</ref> Day contributed $250,000 toward the founding of the center.<ref>{{Cite news|author=Di Paola, Mike|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aVpJWv4TlTrA|title=Doris Day Center Gives Abused Horses Sanctuary with Elands, Emu|publisher=bloomberg.com|date=March 30, 2011|access-date=August 3, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924163749/http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aVpJWv4TlTrA|archive-date=September 24, 2015}}</ref>

A posthumous auction of 1,100 of Day's possessions in April 2020 generated $3 million for the Doris Day Animal Foundation.<ref>{{Cite news|date=April 6, 2020|title=Doris Day's awards, animal artifacts haul in $3 million at auction|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-people-doris-day-idUSKBN21O04P|access-date=June 20, 2020}}</ref>

Day actively engaged in [[HIV/AIDS]] awareness for many years.<ref>{{cite news |title=Doris Day, 'the girl next door' was a fiercely compassionate pioneer |url=https://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/editorials/article230367179.html |access-date=April 1, 2025 |work=Miami Herald |date=May 14, 2019}}</ref> Her commitment was primarily focused on raising awareness and fundraising for HIV/AIDS research. She co-organized several fundraising events for HIV/AIDS-related charities and provided financial contributions to research and support programs for individuals affected by the disease. In 2011, the Canadian magazine ''Gay Globe'' paid tribute to Day by featuring her on the cover of their #79 edition.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://gayglobe.net/magazine-gay-globe-79/ | title=Magazine Gay Globe 79 - GROUPE GAY GLOBE LE POINT | date=June 19, 2020 }}</ref>

==Personal life==
Day's only child was music producer and songwriter [[Terry Melcher]], who had a hit in the 1960s with "[[Hey Little Cobra]]" under the name [[the Rip Chords]] before becoming a successful producer whose acts included [[the Byrds]], [[Paul Revere & the Raiders]] and [[the Beach Boys]]. In the late 1960s, Melcher became acquainted with [[Charles Manson]] and nearly signed him to a record deal. In August 1969, the [[Tate–LaBianca murders|Tate murders]], orchestrated by Manson, were committed at the [[Benedict Canyon, Los Angeles|Benedict Canyon]] house that Melcher had formerly occupied. Melcher died of [[melanoma]] in November 2004.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cartwright |first1=Garth |title=Terry Melcher |url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2004/nov/23/guardianobituaries.artsobituaries |access-date=August 30, 2018 |work=The Guardian |date=November 23, 2004}}</ref>

From the 1980s, Day owned a hotel in Carmel-by-the-Sea called the [[La Ribera Hotel|Cypress Inn]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.agendamag.com/content/2011/09/the-cypress-inn-doris-days-pet-friendly-getaway-in-carmel-by-the-sea|title=The Cypress Inn: Doris Day's Pet-Friendly Getaway in Carmel-by-the-Sea|last1=Anderson|first1=Marilyn|last2=Lanning|first2=Dennis L.|date=September 11, 2011|publisher=Agenda mag|access-date=December 12, 2012}}</ref> an early [[Pet–friendly hotels|pet–friendly hotel]] that was featured in ''[[Architectural Digest]]'' in 1999.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Lippe-Mcgraw|first=Jordi|title=Inside Doris Day's Pet Hotel, The Cypress Inn|url=https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/inside-doris-day-pet-hotel-the-cypress-inn|access-date=June 20, 2020|website=Architectural Digest|date=May 15, 2019|language=en-us}}</ref>

===Marriages===
Day was married four times.<ref>{{cite news|title=Doris Day: Why she left Hollywood|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/doris-day-why-she-left-hollywood/|access-date=June 26, 2018|work=CBS News|date=July 14, 2008}}</ref> From April 1941 to February 1943, she was married to trombonist Al Jorden (1917–1967), whom she met in Barney Rapp's band.<ref name="CNNFastFacts">{{cite news|title=Doris Day Fast Facts|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2013/04/24/us/doris-day-fast-facts/index.html|access-date=June 26, 2018|publisher=[[CNN]]|date=March 20, 2018}}</ref> Jorden was violent, had schizophrenia, and died by suicide years after their divorce. When Day became pregnant and refused to have an abortion, he beat her in an attempt to force a miscarriage. Their son was born Terrence Paul Jorden in 1942, and he adopted the surname of Melcher when he was adopted by Day's third husband.

Her second marriage was to [[George William Weidler]] (1926–1989), a saxophonist and brother of actress [[Virginia Weidler]], from March 30, 1946, to May 31, 1949.<ref name="CNNFastFacts"/> Weidler and Day met again several years later during a brief reconciliation and he introduced her to [[Christian Science]].<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oXw9voJackQC&pg=PT130|title=Considering Doris Day: A Biography|last=Santopietro|first=Tom|date=August 5, 2008|publisher=Macmillan|isbn=9781429937511|pages=130|language=en}}</ref>

Day married American film producer [[Martin Melcher]] (1915–1968), who produced many of her films, on April 3, 1951, her 29th birthday, and the marriage lasted until he died in April 1968.<ref name="CNNFastFacts"/> Melcher adopted Day's son Terry.<ref>{{cite news|title=Producer Terry Melcher Dies at 62|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/65546/producer-terry-melcher-dies-at-62|access-date=August 8, 2013|newspaper=Billboard}}</ref> As Day and Melcher were both Christian Scientists, she refused to visit a doctor for some time after experiencing symptoms that might have suggested cancer.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cfbcA3zFlNgC&pg=PA31|title=Doris Day: Sentimental Journey|last=McGee|first=Garry|date=June 8, 2015|publisher=McFarland|isbn=9781476603216|pages=31|language=en}}</ref> Following Melcher's death, Day separated from the [[Church of Christ, Scientist]] and grew close to charismatic Protestants such as [[Kathryn Kuhlman]], although she never lost interest in Christian Science teaching and practice.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Day |first1=Doris |last2=Hotchner |first2=A. E. |title=Doris Day : her own story |date=1976 |publisher=New York : Bantam Books |pages=304–306 |isbn=9780553028881 |url=https://archive.org/details/dorisdayherownst00hotc/page/304/mode/2up}}</ref>

Day's fourth marriage was to Barry Comden (1935–2009) from April 14, 1976, until April 2, 1982.<ref name=ComdenDeath>{{cite news|last=Nelson|first=Valerie J.|title=Barry Comden dies at 74; restaurateur was 4th husband of Doris Day|url=https://www.latimes.com/local/obituaries/la-me-barry-comden2-2009jun02-story.html|access-date=August 8, 2013|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=June 2, 2009}}</ref> He was the ''[[maître d'hôtel]]'' at one of Day's favorite restaurants. He knew of her great love of dogs and endeared himself to her by giving her a bag of meat scraps and bones as she left the restaurant. He later complained that Day cared more for her "animal friends" than for him.<ref name="ComdenDeath"/>

=== Later life ===
After her retirement from films, Day lived in [[Carmel-by-the-Sea, California]]. She had many pets and adopted stray animals.<ref>{{cite news |date=January 2, 2012 |title=Doris Day: A Hollywood Legend Reflects On Life |publisher=NPR |url=https://www.npr.org/2012/04/02/149392321/doris-day-a-hollywood-legend-reflects-on-life |access-date=December 12, 2012}}</ref> She was a lifelong [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]].{{Sfn|Kaufman|2008|p=437}}<ref>[https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/doris-day-was-a-lifelong-republican-who-dated-ronald-reagan "Doris Day was a lifelong Republican who dated Ronald Reagan"] Washington Examiner. May 13, 2019.</ref>

In a rare interview with ''The Hollywood Reporter'' on April 4, 2019, the day after her 97th birthday, Day talked about her work on the Doris Day Animal Foundation, founded in 1978. Asked to name the favorite of her films, she answered with ''[[Calamity Jane (film)|Calamity Jane]]'': "I was such a tomboy growing up, and she was such a fun character to play. Of course, the music was wonderful, too—'Secret Love,' especially, is such a beautiful song."<ref name="HR2019">Laurie Brookins, [https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/doris-day-talks-turning-97-her-animal-philanthropy-rock-hudson-1199279 “Doris Day, in Rare Interview, Talks Turning 97, Her Animal Foundation and Rock Hudson: 'I Miss Him'”], ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]''. April 3, 2019. ''(Retrieved April 10, 2019.)''</ref>

To commemorate her birthday, Day's fans gathered in late March each year for a three-day party in [[Carmel-by-the-Sea, California]]. The event was also a fundraiser for her animal foundation. During the 2019 event, there was a special screening of her film ''[[Pillow Talk (film)|Pillow Talk]]'' (1959) to celebrate its 60th anniversary. Speaking about the film, Day stated that she "had such fun working with my pal, Rock. We laughed our way through three films we made together and remained great friends. I miss him."<ref name="HR2019" />

===Death===
Day died of [[pneumonia]] at her home in Carmel Valley, California, on May 13, 2019, at the age of 97. Her death was announced by the Doris Day Animal Foundation.<ref>{{cite web | title=Doris Day, Hollywood's Favorite Girl Next Door, Dies at 97 | website=The Hollywood Reporter | date=May 13, 2019 | url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/doris-day-dead-pillow-talk-actress-que-sera-sera-singer-was-97-772821 | access-date=May 13, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Lee | first=Benjamin | title=Doris Day, celebrated actor and singer, dies at 97 | website=The Guardian | date=May 13, 2019 | url=http://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/may/13/calamity-jane-star-doris-day-dies-at-97 | access-date=May 13, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Legendary actress and singer Doris Day dead at 97 |url=https://apnews.com/b9a04d9ab2ce4276b2f6bdb6b39af585 |website=AP NEWS |publisher=The Associated Press |access-date=May 13, 2019 |date=May 13, 2019}}</ref> As requested by Day, the foundation announced that there would be no funeral services, grave marker or other public memorials.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-48257670|title=Actress Doris Day dies aged 97|work=BBC News|date=May 13, 2019|access-date=May 13, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dorisdayanimalfoundation.org/news/blog/hollywood-legend-leading-singer-and-animal-welfare-advocate-doris-day-is-dead-at-97|title=Hollywood Legend, Leading Singer and Animal Welfare Advocate Doris Day Passes at 97|website=Doris Day Animal Foundation|access-date=May 13, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/13/obituaries/doris-day-death.html|title=Doris Day, Movie Star Who Charmed America, Dies at 97|last=Harmetz|first=Aljean|date=May 13, 2019|work=The New York Times|access-date=May 13, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

==Filmography==
{{Main|Doris Day filmography}}

=== Notable films ===

* ''[[Romance on the High Seas]]'' (1948)
* ''[[Calamity Jane (film)|Calamity Jane]]'' (1953)
* ''[[Love Me or Leave Me (film)|Love Me or Leave Me]]'' (1955)
* ''[[The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956 film)|The Man Who Knew Too Much]]'' (1956)
* ''[[Pillow Talk]]'' (1959)
* ''[[The Thrill of It All (film)|The Thrill of It All]]'' (1963)
* ''[[Send Me No Flowers]]'' (1964)
* ''[[The Glass Bottom Boat]]'' (1966)

==Discography==
{{Main|Doris Day discography}}

===Studio albums===
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* ''[[You're My Thrill (Doris Day album)|You're My Thrill]]'' (1949)
* ''[[Young Man with a Horn (soundtrack)|Young Man with a Horn]]'' (1950)
* ''[[Tea for Two (album)|Tea for Two]]'' (1950)
* ''[[Lullaby of Broadway (album)|Lullaby of Broadway]]'' (1951)
* ''[[On Moonlight Bay (album)|On Moonlight Bay]]'' (1951)
* ''[[I'll See You in My Dreams (1951 album)|I'll See You in My Dreams]]'' (1951)
* ''[[By the Light of the Silvery Moon (album)|By the Light of the Silvery Moon]]'' (1953)
* ''[[Calamity Jane (album)|Calamity Jane]]'' (1953)
* ''[[Young at Heart (Doris Day and Frank Sinatra album)|Young at Heart]]'' (1954)
* ''[[Love Me or Leave Me (Doris Day album)|Love Me or Leave Me]]'' (1955)
* ''[[Day Dreams (Doris Day album)|Day Dreams]]'' (1955)
* ''[[Day by Day (Doris Day album)|Day by Day]]'' (1956)
* ''[[The Pajama Game (album)|The Pajama Game]]'' (1957)
* ''[[Day by Night]]'' (1957)
* ''[[Hooray for Hollywood (album)|Hooray for Hollywood]]'' (1958)
* ''[[Cuttin' Capers (album)|Cuttin' Capers]]'' (1959)
* ''[[What Every Girl Should Know (album)|What Every Girl Should Know]]'' (1960)
* ''[[Show Time (Doris Day album)|Show Time]]'' (1960)
* ''[[Listen to Day]]'' (1960)
* ''[[Bright and Shiny]]'' (1961)
* ''[[I Have Dreamed (Doris Day album)|I Have Dreamed]]'' (1961)
* ''[[Duet (Doris Day and André Previn album)|Duet]]'' (1962)
* ''[[You'll Never Walk Alone (Doris Day album)|You'll Never Walk Alone]]'' (1962)
*'' [[Billy Rose's Jumbo (soundtrack)|Billy Rose's Jumbo]]'' (1962)
*'' [[Annie Get Your Gun (Doris Day and Robert Goulet album)|Annie Get Your Gun]]'' (1963)
* ''Love Him'' (1963)
* ''[[The Doris Day Christmas Album]]'' (1964)
* ''[[With a Smile and a Song (album)|With a Smile and a Song]]'' (1964)
* ''[[Latin for Lovers]]'' (1965)
* ''[[Doris Day's Sentimental Journey]]'' (1965)
* ''[[The Love Album (Doris Day album)|The Love Album]]'' (recorded 1967; released in 1994)
* ''[[My Heart (Doris Day album)|My Heart]]'' (with eight previously unissued tracks recorded in 1985; released in 2011)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/doris-day-mn0000189644/discography/all|title=Doris Day: Album Discography|website=AllMusic|access-date=May 14, 2019}}</ref>
{{div col end}}

==See also==
* [[List of awards and nominations received by Doris Day]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Sources==
*Barothy, Mary Anne (2007), ''Day at a Time: An Indiana Girl's Sentimental Journey to Doris Day's Hollywood and Beyond''. Hawthorne Publishing, {{ISBN|9780978716738}}
*{{Citation|last=Braun|first=Eric|title=Doris Day|publisher=Orion Books|location=London|edition=2|date=2004|isbn=978-0-7528-1715-6}}
*[[David Bret|Bret, David]] (2008), ''Doris Day: Reluctant Star''. JR Books, London, {{ISBN|9781781313510}}
* Brogan, Paul E. (2011), ''Was That a Name I Dropped?'', Aberdeen Bay; {{ISBN|1608300501|978-1608300501}}
*{{cite book|author=DeVita, Michael J.|title=My 'Secret Love' Affair with Doris Day|publisher=CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform|year=2012|type=Paperback|isbn=978-1478153580}}
*{{Citation|last=Hotchner|first=AE|title=Doris Day: Her Own Story|publisher=William Morrow & Co|year=1975|isbn=978-0-688-02968-5}}.
*{{Citation|title=Doris Day: The Untold Story of the Girl Next Door|last=Kaufman|first=David|year=2008|publisher=Virgin Books|location=New York|isbn=978-1-905264-30-8|url=https://archive.org/details/dorisdayuntoldst00kauf}}
*{{Citation|last=McGee|first=Garry|title=Doris Day: Sentimental Journey|publisher=McFarland & Co|isbn=9781476603216|year=2005}}
*{{Citation|last1=Patrick|first1=Pierre|first2=Garry|last2=McGee|title=Que Sera, Sera: The Magic of Doris Day Through Television|publisher=Bear Manor|isbn=9781593930561|year=2006}}
* Patrick, Pierre; McGee, Garry (2009), ''The Doris Day Companion: A Beautiful Day''. BearManor Media, {{ISBN|9781593933494}}
*{{Citation|last=Santopietro|first=Thomas "Tom"|title=Considering Doris Day|publisher=Thomas Dunn Books|location=New York|year=2007|isbn=978-0-312-36263-8|ref=no}}

==External links==
{{sister project links|d=Q104372|c=Category:Doris Day|n=no|b=no|v=no|voy=no|m=no|mw=no|wikt=no|s=no|species=no}}
* {{Official website}}
* [https://www.dorisdayanimalfoundation.org/ Doris Day Animal Foundation]
* {{IMDb name|13}}
* {{AFI person | 40605-Doris-Day | Doris Day }}
* {{AllMusic}}
* {{TCMDb name}}
* {{discogs artist|Doris Day}}

{{Doris Day|state=collapsed}}
{{navboxes
|title = [[List of awards and nominations received by Doris Day|Awards for Doris Day]]
|list =
{{Cecil B. DeMille Award}}
{{Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award}}
{{Ohio Women's Hall of Fame}}
{{UK best-selling singles (by year)}}
}}
{{Carmel Valley, California}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Day, Doris}}
[[Category:Doris Day| ]]
[[Category:1922 births]]
[[Category:2019 deaths]]
[[Category:20th-century American actresses]]
[[Category:20th-century American women singers]]
[[Category:21st-century American women singers]]
[[Category:Actresses from Cincinnati]]
[[Category:Age controversies]]
[[Category:American Christian Scientists]]
[[Category:American film actresses]]
[[Category:American people of German descent]]
[[Category:American television actresses]]
[[Category:American television talk show hosts]]
[[Category:American women memoirists]]
[[Category:American women pop singers]]
[[Category:American animal welfare workers]]
[[Category:Arwin Records artists]]
[[Category:Big band singers]]
[[Category:California Republicans]]
[[Category:Cecil B. DeMille Award Golden Globe winners]]
[[Category:Columbia Records artists]]
[[Category:Converts to Christian Science]]
[[Category:Deaths from pneumonia in California]]
[[Category:Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winners]]
[[Category:Singers from Cincinnati]]
[[Category:Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients]]
[[Category:Traditional pop music singers]]
[[Category:Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer contract players]]
[[Category:Universal Pictures contract players]]
[[Category:Warner Bros. contract players]]