Doris Day, screen legend and singer, dead at 97
By JAMI GANZ
| NEW YORK DAILY NEWS |
MAY 13, 2019 | 9:27 AM



FILE - In this April 15, 1955 file photo, American actress and singer Doris Day holds a bouquet of roses at Le Bourget Airport in Paris, France after flying in from London. Day, whose wholesome screen presence stood for a time of innocence in '60s films, has died, her foundation says. She was 97. The Doris Day Animal Foundation confirmed Day died early Monday, May 13, 2019, at her Carmel Valley, California, home. (AP)



Screen legend Doris Day has died, just weeks after her 97th birthday.


Day died early on May 13 after battling pneumonia, according to her animal activist organization, Doris Day Animal Foundation (DDAF).


Day’s two-decade film career took off with the release of “Romance on the High Seas” (1948), during the Classical Hollywood Film era. Though Day’s credits spanned several genres, and even included Alfred Hitchcock’s remake of “The Man Who Knew Too Much,” Day had a string of successful romantic comedies. She received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress in the film, “Pillow Talk.”


Day’s career saw her starring alongside big league leading men like Frank Sinatra, James Stewart, James Garner, and Cary Grant.




The star was No. 1 at the box office in both 1960 and 1962, remaining at the top until 1964.


Day started out as a big band singer, and went solo after parting ways with Les Brown & His Band of Renown. Once solo, Day recorded more than 650 songs over 20 years, becoming a massive success in 20th century music.


Day’s film legacy gave way to her television career which began with situation comedy, “The Doris Day Show” (1968-1973). Her television appearances continued through the 1980s, though the actress was last seen through archival footage in 2009’s “What a Difference a Day Made: Doris Day Superstar.”


Day had one son, Terry Melcher, who died in 2004.



Jami GanzNew York Daily News
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Jami Ganz is a breaking news reporter with an additional focus on entertainment for the New York Daily News.