Doris Day was a prominent American actor, singer, and animal welfare activist. Born Doris Mary Anne Kappelhoff on April 3, 1922, in Cincinnati, Ohio, she became one of the biggest film stars in the 1950s and 1960s.
Day’s career began as a big band singer in 1939, and her popularity grew rapidly with her first hit recording, “Sentimental Journey,” which became an anthem for World War II soldiers returning home.
In cinema, Doris Day was known for her wholesome image and her roles in musicals, comedies, and dramatic films. Some of her most famous films include “Calamity Jane” (1953), “Pillow Talk” (1959), for which she received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress, and “The Man Who Knew Too Much” (1956), where she sang “Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be),” which became her signature song.
Beyond her entertainment career, Doris Day was a passionate advocate for animal rights, founding the Doris Day Animal Foundation in 1978. This organization aims to help animals and promote humane treatment through various projects and programs.
Day was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2004 but chose not to attend the ceremony. She was also given a Grammy for Lifetime Achievement in 2008. Doris Day passed away on May 13, 2019, but remains fondly remembered for both her artistic contributions and her charitable work.
