Doris Day

A major star for nearly 50 years, Doris Day represents the purity of the American dream with her sweet voice, wholesome movie roles and a long strand of international hits; starting with 'Sentimental Journey' in 1945 and including 'Secret Love', 'Que Sera Sera', 'It's Magic' and 'Move Over Darling'.

From a family of German immigrants, Doris adopted her name from silent film actress Doris Kenyon and, after taking singing lessons, started working with bandleader Barney Rapp in Cincinnati. Radio exposure helped grow her fan base as she toured across America, and in 1954 she became a major film star in the role of singer Ruth Etting in 'Love Me Or Leave Me'. It launched a string of romantic comedy movies and musicals which became box office smashes, including starring in the title role in 'Calamity Jane' (1953) and starring opposite Rock Hudson in 'Pillow Talk' (1959), invariably including a hit theme song, notably 'Move Over, Darling' (1963).

By the 1970s her movie career had given way to TV shows, including her own sitcom 'The Doris Day Show', but despite her happy, wholesome image she had a troubled personal life, including the death of her son Terry Melcher.

On 13th May 2019, Doris died at her home in Carmel, California at the age of 97 after contracting pneumonia.