Doris Day

Doris Day Artistfacts

  • April 3, 1922 - May 13, 2019
  • Doris Day was born into a middle-class family in Evanston, a suburb of Cincinnati. Her parents, both of German descent, were first-generation Americans. Her father, Frederick Wilhelm (William), was a music teacher specializing in piano and violin. He also served as an organist and choral master at St. Mark's Catholic Church. Doris' mother, Alma Sophia Welz, shared a love for country and western music and later worked in the family bakery.
  • At 15, a devastating car accident shattered Doris' leg, abruptly ending her dreams of becoming a professional dancer. Confined to bed for 14 months, she found solace in listening to Ella Fitzgerald's music. This period of enforced rest ignited her passion for singing.

    Recognizing her talent, Doris's voice coach, Grace Raine, offered her three lessons a week for the price of one, believing in her potential even during her early years.
  • Doris's first professional singing job was at Charlie Yee's Shanghai Inn in Cincinnati, where she earned just $5 per performance.
  • Doris Day became a voice of comfort during World War II with the song "Sentimental Journey." Her performance with Les Brown's orchestra provided returning soldiers with a melody that symbolized homecoming and hope.
  • Doris Day landed her first film role in Romance on the High Seas (1948) after Judy Garland dropped out, propelling her into a 20-year career as a Hollywood star.
  • Between 1960 and 1964, Doris Day was the top box-office star in America four times, a feat achieved by only one other actress, Shirley Temple.
  • Her comedic timing was impeccable, thanks in part to her musical background. Day once turned a mundane scene of carrying eggs in The Thrill of It All into a comedic masterpiece of small calamities.
  • Doris Day was married four times. After her third husband, Martin Melcher, passed away, Doris discovered he and his business partner had squandered her entire fortune, leaving her in debt. This led her to take on a television series, The Doris Day Show, to recover financially.
  • She had a balanced approach to nutrition but allowed herself occasional indulgences. Rocky Road ice cream was one of her favorite treats.
  • Doris Day's deep love for animals was a cornerstone of her later life. She established the Doris Day Animal Foundation, reflecting her lifelong commitment to animal welfare. (Source Trivial Biographies).

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Cheerleaders In Music Videos

Cheerleaders In Music VideosSong Writing

It started with a bouncy MTV classic. Nirvana and MCR made them scary, then Gwen, Avril and Madonna put on the pom poms.

Shaun Morgan of Seether

Shaun Morgan of SeetherSongwriter Interviews

Shaun breaks down the Seether songs, including the one about his brother, the one about Ozzy, and the one that may or may not be about his ex-girlfriend Amy Lee.

Real or Spinal Tap

Real or Spinal TapMusic Quiz

They sang about pink torpedoes and rocking you tonight tonight, but some real lyrics are just as ridiculous. See if you can tell which lyrics are real and which are Spinal Tap in this lyrics quiz.

Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull

Ian Anderson of Jethro TullSongwriter Interviews

The flautist frontman talks about touring with Led Zeppelin, his contribution to "Hotel California", and how he may have done the first MTV Unplugged.

Stan Ridgway

Stan RidgwaySongwriter Interviews

Go beyond the Wall of Voodoo with this cinematic songwriter.

Dar Williams

Dar WilliamsSongwriter Interviews

A popular contemporary folk singer, Williams still remembers the sticky note that changed her life in college.