Trivial Biographies: July 2013

NAME Doris Mary Anne Kappelhoff (professionally known as Doris Day)

Doris Day's stage name originated from the song "Day by Day," which she performed early in her career. Barney Rapp, who hired her as a singer, suggested the change because her real surname, Kappelhoff, was deemed too long for marquee displays.

WHAT FAMOUS FOR An iconic American actress and singer, known for her wholesome image and romantic comedies in the 1950s and 1960s. She was also a successful recording artist with numerous hit songs.

BIRTH Born April 3, 1922, in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.

FAMILY BACKGROUND Day was born into a middle-class family in the Cincinnati suburb of Evanston. Her parents were first-generation Americans of German descent. Her father, Frederick Wilhelm (William), was a piano and violin music teacher, as well as an organist and choral master at St. Mark's Catholic Church. Her mother, Alma Sophia Welz, enjoyed country and western music and later worked in the family bakery

CHILDHOOD She spent her early years in Cincinnati, where she developed a love for dance. Her parents divorced when she was a child, but her mother remained a strong influence in her life.

Doris Day as a child: Source Cincinnati.com

As a child, Doris attended ballet and tap dancing schools at the Hessler Dancing School. Her passion for dance was evident from an early age, and she idolized dancers like Ginger Rogers. In 1936, at the age of 12, Doris and her dance partner Jerry Doherty won a local amateur contest, which led to an opportunity to travel to Hollywood and perform with the prestigious Fanchon and Marco stage show.

On October 13, 1937, while still a freshman at Our Lady of Angels High School, Doris was involved in a serious car accident. The car she was riding in was struck by a train in Hamilton, Ohio, resulting in a double compound fracture of her right leg. This accident ended her dreams of becoming a professional dancer and kept her bedridden for 14 months.

During her recovery, Doris turned to music for solace. She listened to the radio extensively, particularly admiring the voice of Ella Fitzgerald. This period sparked her interest in singing and led to a significant career change.

Recognizing her daughter's newfound passion, Doris's mother, Alma, took her to Grace Raine, a local voice coach. Impressed by Doris's natural talent, Raine offered her three lessons a week for the price of one. Raine played a crucial role in Doris's development as a singer, emphasizing the importance of lyric delivery.

At the age of 15, Doris began her professional singing career. She performed at Charlie Yee's Shanghai Inn in Cincinnati for $5 per performance. Soon after, she was offered a job singing at Barney Rapp's local club, The Sign of the Drum, for $25 a week.

EDUCATION Due to her accident and subsequent career focus, Doris's formal education was limited. She left Our Lady of Angels High School to pursue her career as a professional singer4. However, this early departure from traditional schooling did not hinder her success in the entertainment industry.

CAREER RECORD Began her career as a big band singer in the 1940s

Transitioned to acting in the late 1940s, starring in numerous successful films

Continued to record and release popular music throughout her career

APPEARANCE Blonde, blue-eyed, and with a radiant smile, Doris Day epitomized the wholesome American beauty.

Publicity photo of Doris Day

FASHION Day was known for her elegant yet relatable style, often wearing tailored suits, dresses, and casual, girl-next-door outfits that complemented her screen persona.

CHARACTER She was regarded as approachable, cheerful, and genuine. While she often played wholesome roles, she acknowledged that these did not fully reflect her real-life complexity.

SPEAKING VOICE Her speaking voice was warm and engaging, complemented by her singing voice, which Andy Williams described as "so fresh you could smell it."

SENSE OF HUMOUR Day possessed exceptional comedic timing, which many attribute to her background as a singer. Norman Jewison, a motion picture director, noted that "Doris had wonderful comedic timing. This was, I think, because she had been a singer. People who sing, who have great rhythm — like Sinatra, Dean Martin, Judy Garland — all seem to have better timing than other actors" This innate sense of rhythm and timing allowed Day to excel in romantic comedies, becoming the "queen of the romantic comedies" in the 1950s and 1960s.(1)

Her talent for physical comedy was also remarkable. In the film The Thrill of It All, Jewison recalls how Day turned "a simple act, bringing in a morning delivery of eggs from the back porch, into a tour de force of small calamities". This ability to create humor from everyday situations showcased her versatility as a comedic actress. (1)

Day herself emphasized the importance of laughter and joy in her life. She once said, "I love to laugh. It's the only way to live. Enjoy each day - it's not coming back again!" This philosophy seemed to infuse her performances with a genuine sense of fun and lightheartedness.

RELATIONSHIPS Doris Day was married four times. Her first marriage was to Al Jorden in 1941, at the young age of 17. This marriage, which took place in Cincinnati, Ohio, produced one child, Terry Melcher, in 1942. Unfortunately, the marriage was abusive, and they divorced in 1943.

Day's second marriage was to George Weidler. They wed on March 30, 1946, but it ended in divorce in 1949.

She then married producer Martin Melcher in a civil ceremony in Burbank, California on April 3, 1951, on her 27th birthday. Melcher adopted Day's son, Terry, who then took his surname. This marriage lasted until Melcher's death in 1968. Melcher managed much of her career.

Finally, Day married Barry Comden on April 14, 1976, at the age of 52. This marriage also ended in divorce in 1982.

MONEY AND FAME Day's career began as a big band singer in the late 1930s. She quickly rose to fame with hit songs like "Sentimental Journey" and transitioned into a highly successful film career. From 1948 to 1968, she starred in 39 feature films, becoming one of the top box-office draws of the 1950s and 1960s.

During her peak years from 1960 to 1964, Day ranked as the number one box-office star in America. She was the second woman to achieve this feat four times, an accomplishment only equaled by Shirley Temple. Her popularity translated into substantial earnings, with Day amassing over $20 million (equivalent to nearly $150 million today) by the late 1960s.

Despite her tremendous success, Day faced a significant financial crisis in 1968 when her third husband, Martin Melcher, died. She discovered that Melcher and his business partner had squandered her entire fortune, leaving her $500,000 in debt. This shocking revelation led to years of legal battles.

To recover from this financial disaster, Day took on television work, starring in The Doris Day Show from 1968 to 1973. She also pursued legal action, eventually winning a $27 million judgment against her former business managers, though she only received a fraction of this amount due to their inability to pay.

Day's financial recovery was bolstered by shrewd real estate investments. She owned properties in Malibu and Beverly Hills, as well as several hotels1. One notable investment was a 10-acre estate in Carmel, California, which she purchased for $300,000 in 1978 and became her long-term residence.

By the time of her death in 2019, Doris Day had rebuilt her fortune significantly. Her net worth was estimated at $200 million. This substantial wealth was a testament to her enduring popularity, successful investments, and financial recovery.

FOOD AND DRINK Doris Day was known for her balanced approach to diet and nutrition. She emphasized the importance of a hearty breakfast, typically including a tall glass of orange juice, a slice of whole grain toast, and a choice between eggs and bacon, a ground round patty, or yogurt with stewed fruit. For lunch, she preferred lighter fare such as cold meat leftovers, a glass of milk or yogurt, and cheese, particularly Camembert. Dinners consisted of nutritious, simply prepared foods like green salads, cooked green and yellow vegetables, and broiled meat, chicken, or fish. She avoided rich sauces and fancy desserts.

Day's diet also included healthy snacks and treats like flourless cookies, dried fruit, and occasional indulgences like Rocky Road ice cream. Her beverage choices included fresh carrot juice, water, tea with artificial sweetener, and diet cola. She occasionally enjoyed a glass of white wine, but limited herself to "just one."

Doris Day advocated for eating foods that the body could use efficiently, avoiding over-processed and overcooked foods, and focusing on nutrition rather than calorie counting. She believed in the importance of balanced nutrition and moderation, emphasizing the quality of food over strict dieting. By incorporating plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains while enjoying a variety of foods in moderation, Doris Day maintained her figure and demonstrated a healthy and sustainable approach to eating. (2)

MUSIC AND ARTS Doris Day, the golden girl of American entertainment, led a career so multifaceted it could make your head spin—and then sing along. She was a singer, actress, and animal welfare champion who charmed her way through the 20th century with a voice so pure it could cut through the din of post-war America and a screen presence as wholesome as a basket of freshly picked apples.

Day’s musical journey began somewhat accidentally, like many great things, with a car crash. She’d been destined for a life as a dancer in her hometown of Cincinnati, but a badly injured leg redirected her to the comforting embrace of music. While recuperating, she discovered the jazz stylings of Ella Fitzgerald on the radio, which set her on a new path.

By the late 1930s, Doris was singing professionally, hopping from band to band, including stints with Barney Rapp and Bob Crosby. But it was with Les Brown’s orchestra that she hit the big time, belting out the wartime anthem “Sentimental Journey” in 1944. The song, along with "My Dreams Are Getting Better All the Time," topped the charts and gave returning soldiers a melody to hum on the way home.

She went solo in 1947, and the rest is history—or, more accurately, 650 songs and 20 Top Ten hits. Her voice, defined the era, effortlessly balancing clarity and warmth.

If Doris Day’s singing career started with serendipity, her Hollywood career was positively drenched in it. In 1948, Judy Garland dropped out of Romance on the High Seas, leaving the door open for Doris to walk into what would become a 20-year reign over Tinseltown.

Her early roles leaned into her musical talents, with hits like Calamity Jane (1953), Love Me or Leave Me (1955), and The Pajama Game (1957). But by the late 1950s, Day reinvented herself as the queen of romantic comedy, sashaying through films like Pillow Talk (1959)—which earned her an Academy Award nomination—and That Touch of Mink (1962), where she played opposite Cary Grant.

By 1968, Doris had decided that the bright lights of Hollywood were all very well, but perhaps the slightly dimmer glow of television was more her speed. Thus began The Doris Day Show, a sitcom that ran for five seasons and reminded everyone that Doris was as charming in their living rooms as she was on the silver screen.

In the mid-1980s, she made a brief return to TV with Doris Day’s Best Friends, a delightful show about animals that was basically a love letter to her fur-covered passion project.

LITERATURE Day authored her autobiography Doris Day: Her Own Story, revealing insights into her life.

NATURE Day had an appreciation for nature and outdoor pursuits. She lived on a large estate in Carmel, California, where she could enjoy the natural surroundings.

PETS Doris Day adored animals She adored them so much, in fact, that she turned her Carmel Valley home into a sort of paradise for anything with fur, scales, or feathers. It all started during the filming of The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956), when she witnessed camels and goats being mistreated on set. From then on, Doris became a crusader for animal welfare, founding organizations like the Doris Day Animal Foundation and Doris Day Animal League.

Her accolades piled up like autumn leaves: the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2004, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008, and countless honors for her work with animals.

After her death, her $7.4 million Carmel Valley estate was sold, with proceeds benefiting her animal foundation.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS Aside from singing and acting, Doris enjoyed spending time with her pets and gardening at her Carmel Valley home.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY Doris Day was raised Catholic but later explored other spiritual paths. After marrying producer Martin Melcher, she became a practicing Christian Scientist. This faith emphasizes spiritual healing and the belief that sin, disease, and death are illusions.

Following Melcher's death in 1968, Day drifted away from organized religion but remained spiritual. She developed her own personal philosophy, centered on a belief in God and divine purpose, gratitude for her God-given talents, and an emphasis on spirituality over formal religion. As she once stated, "She believed in God, and she thought her voice was God-given. She would say, 'God gave me a voice, and I just used it.'"

Day maintained a lifelong belief in predestination, aligning with her famous song "Que Sera, Sera" (Whatever Will Be, Will Be). This belief may have helped her cope with the numerous challenges she faced throughout her life.

POLITICS While not overtly political, her activism in animal rights reflected her belief in ethical responsibility.

SCANDAL Day faced personal and financial challenges, including a widely publicized lawsuit against her late husband's business partner. She emerged from these setbacks with resilience.

MILITARY RECORD Her songs, like "Sentimental Journey," were anthems for soldiers returning from World War II.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Despite injuries early in life, Day maintained good health through her career. She retired in good health to focus on her advocacy.

HOMES Doris Day's Carmel Valley estate served as her cherished sanctuary for the last four decades of her life. Located at 6730 Carmel Valley Road, the sprawling 8.62-acre property embodied her warm personality and deep love for animals.

The estate encompassed a collection of buildings, including a 7,000-square-foot main house, a guest house, a gatehouse with apartments, three lofts, and two caretaker units. In total, the living space offered a comfortable 12,400 square feet, with six bedrooms and nine bathrooms.

The main house exuded a cheerful vibe, painted in a butter yellow shade with bright red trim, reflecting Day's sunny disposition. Large windows adorned the interior, offering breathtaking views of the Carmel Valley and the Santa Lucia mountains. Cozy fireplaces were scattered throughout the home, and a unique spiral staircase, which even made an appearance in "The Doris Day Show," added a touch of whimsy.

Staying true to her love for animals, Day incorporated special features for her furry companions. The property included a 100-square-foot enclosed cattery for her feline friends, a spacious dog-care area with a dedicated kitchen, and numerous walking paths for her canine companions.

Secluded by towering oak trees, manicured lawns, and flourishing gardens, the estate offered a peaceful retreat. It overlooked the Quail Lodge Golf Course and provided glimpses of the Pacific Ocean in the distance.

Following Doris Day's passing in 2019, the property went on the market for the first time. Initially priced at $7.4 million, it eventually sold for $5.7 million. In a testament to her lifelong dedication to animal welfare, all proceeds from the sale were directed to the Doris Day Animal Foundation, which she established in 1978.

TRAVELShe traveled extensively for her film and singing career but preferred the comfort of her Carmel Valley retreat in her later years.

DEATH Doris Day passed away on May 13, 2019, at her home in Carmel Valley, California, at the age of 97. Her death was due to pneumonia, which she had contracted shortly before her passing. The Doris Day Animal Foundation, which announced her death, stated that she had been "in excellent physical health for her age, until recently contracting a serious case of pneumonia"

Instead of a traditional memorial, Day's estate was donated to charity, as per her will.

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA She appeared in 39 films, released dozens of albums, and starred in her own TV show. Her signature songs and films remain iconic.