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Doris Day -

Doris Day was born Doris Mary Kappelhoff on April 3, 1922 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

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Early Career -

In the late 1930s, she began to sing, and in 1939 adopted the stage surname "Day." Her first hit recording, 'Sentimental Journey,' was released in 1949. Pictured is a young Doris Day at the Aquarium Jazz Club, New York City, in 1946.

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Getting noticed -

By 1948 she was an established radio performer and vocalist, and had scored a number-one hit with 'Love Somebody.' She began touring the United States and her pure voice and wholesome looks led the burgeoning star into the movie business.

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'Romance on the High Seas' (1948) - Doris Day in 'Romance on the High Seas,' her film debut. The movie provided her with a number two hit song, 'It's Magic.'

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'My Dream is Yours' (1949) -

This was quickly followed by the romantic comedy 'My Dream is Yours,' which featured the song 'Someone Like You.'

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Screen star - The 1950s saw Day's star in the ascent, and she began to blossom in front of the camera.

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'Tea for Two' (1950) - She appeared in several nostalgic period musicals, including 'Tea for Two' with Gordon MacRae.

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'The West Point Story' (1950) - This musical comedy costarred James Cagney. She's pictured here again, however, with Gordon MacRae.

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Popular -

Charming and well-liked, Day was quickly becoming a big hit with the movie-going public. US servicemen in Korea voted her their favorite star.

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Marriage to Martin Melcher - In 1951, Day married Martin Melcher, her third marriage. It lasted until his death in 1968 from a heart condition.

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'I'll See You in My Dreams' (1951) - This was Day's most commercially successful film for Warner Brothers, breaking box-office records.

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'April in Paris' (1952) - Meanwhile, she continued making lighthearted musicals such as this one, which costarred Ray Bolger.

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'Calamity Jane' (1953) - In 1953, Day shot to even bigger fame with this comedic, Western-themed musical, which costarred Howard Keel.

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'Calamity Jane' (1953) -

Among the many musical numbers Day performed was 'Secret Love,' which won the Academy Award for Best Original Song. It became her fourth US number one hit single.

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Family life (1953) - Day is pictured in 1953 with husband Martin Melcher and son Terry (from her first marriage to Al Jordan), whom Melcher adopted. In all, Doris Day was married four times.

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Recording star - Day at the 'Young at Heart' recording sessions, which featured in the film that was released in 1955.

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High society - Actress Betty Hutton with Day, Martin Melcher, and Hutton's husband, Alan Livingstone, at a Hollywood celebrity get-together.

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'Young at Heart' (1955) - The teaming up of Day with Frank Sinatra in this musical produced an album, 'Young at Heart,' which featured songs by both of them.

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'Love Me or Leave Me' (1955) - Day appeared again with James Cagney in this gritty and highly regarded biographical romantic musical drama, which garnered a clutch of Academy nominations.

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'The Man Who Knew Too Much' (1956) - Costarring James Stewart and directed by Alfred Hitchcock, this suspense thriller marked a change of direction for Day.

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'The Man Who Knew Too Much' (1956) - Day's character, a well-known retired singer, ends up performing 'Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be),' which won the Academy Award for Best Original Song and reached number two in the US pop charts and the top spot in the UK.

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With fans (1956) - Day is seen here receiving a silver teapot from English fans during a break in filming in London of 'The Man Who Knew Too Much.'

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Another dramatic role - Day followed this with another dramatic role, appearing in the film noir 'Julie.' The movie was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay and Best Song, 'Julie,' which Day sang over the opening credits.

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New York City - Taking time off in 1958 and enjoying the sights in New York's Times Square.

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'The Tunnel of Love' (1958) - Day and co-star Richard Widmark during a break in filming. The actress had returned to her musical roots and subsequently picked up a nomination for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy.

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Making up - The actress caught in an unguarded moment applying her own makeup before appearing in front of the cameras.

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'Pillow Talk' (1959) - The first of the so-called bedroom comedies, and the first film to team up Day with Rock Hudson. The production marked the beginning of the most successful phase of Day's film career.

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'Pillow Talk' (1959) - A critical and box-office success, the film saw Day nominated as Best Actress in a Leading Role, among a string of other Academy and Golden Globe nominations. It won an Oscar for Best Writing (Original Screenplay).

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Friendship with Rock Hudson - With 'Pillow Talk,' Day cemented a lifelong friendship with her leading man, a bond that would last until his death in 1985.

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'Please Don't Eat the Daisies' (1960) - With co-star David Niven trying to crack a crossword between takes.

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'Please Don't Eat the Daisies' (1960) - Day reads the script out loud to one of her dogs. The actress remained passionate about canines, and animal welfare in general, until her death.

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'Midnight Lace' (1960) - Day received Golden Globe and Laurel Award nominations for Best Motion Picture Actress-Drama for this mystery thriller, which costarred Rex Harrison.

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Gilded company - Relaxing with Frank Sinatra and Lauren Bacall under the admiring glances of a legion of film fans.

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'Lover Come Back' (1961) -

Her second film with Rock Hudson. Day picked up a Laurel Award for best female comedy performance.

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Home life - A proud Day at home undertaking domestic chores.

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'That Touch of Mink' (1962) - Starring alongside another Hollywood heartthrob, this time Cary Grant, Day again won a Laurel Award for best female comedy performance.

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'Billie Rose's Jumbo' (1962) - Noted for being Doris Day's last screen musical, the film was nominated for an Academy Award for the adaptation of its Rodgers and Hart score.

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Box-office success - During 1960 and 1962 through 1964, Day ranked number one at the American box office and was a hot casting choice, receiving seven consecutive Laurel Awards for her film roles.

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'Move Over Darling' (1963) - Costarring James Garner, this jolly remake of 'My Favorite Wife' (1940) saw Day nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture Actress – Musical or Comedy. Her song, 'Move Over Darling,' was a top 10 hit in the UK.

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'Send Me No Flowers' (1964) -

Her third and last film with Rock Hudson, 'Send Me No Flowers' was a commercial success, but reviews were mixed.

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'Send Me No Flowers' (1964) - Some critics noted the tired formula and somewhat diminishing onscreen chemistry between both characters. Others believed it was the best of the Day/Hudson vehicles.

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'Glass Bottom Boat' (1966) - This romantic comedy costarring Rod Taylor is also known as the 'The Spy in Lace Panties.' Day was again nominated for a Laurel Award for best female comedy performance.

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'Glass Bottom Boat' (1966) - The wacky plot and offbeat mid-60s vibe appealed to a younger audience and the film was a financial success.

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'Caprice' (1967) - Slammed by critics and a box-office bomb, this is arguably Day's worst film. However, the movie has since been reappraised for its modish mix of slapstick, satire, and adventure.

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'Ballad of Josie' (1967) - This comedy tackled 1960s themes of feminism in a traditional Western setting and saw Day wielding a gun and talking tough.

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'Where Were You When the Lights Went Out?' (1968) - This is one of only three films not to feature a vocal by Day (the others being 1967's 'The Ballad of Josie' and 1968's 'With Six You Get Eggroll'), and was her final film appearance.

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'The Doris Day Show' - Moving into television, albeit reluctantly (her husband, Martin Melcher, who died in April 1968, had committed her to a television series without her consent), the first episode of 'The Doris Day Show' aired in September 1968.

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Small screen success - The show enjoyed a five-year run, from 1968 to 1973. She's pictured with actor Lew Ayres in 1970.

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Television specials - She also appeared in two television specials, 'The Doris Mary Anne Kappelhoff Special' (1971) and 'Doris Day to Day' (1975). She's pictured here with musician John Denver.

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Retirement from acting - Day largely retired from showbiz after 'The Doris Day Show,' although she made a brief comeback in the mid-1980s with 'Doris Day's Best Friends.'

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1980s and 1990s - The following years saw Day embroiled in lawsuits surrounding a series of failed business ventures and real estate investments allegedly made by Melcher and his business partner Jerome Rosenthal, who was also the entertainer's attorney.

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Tragedy - On November 19, 2004, Day's son, Terry (pictured), died of cancer at age 62 after a long illness. He was a successful musician and record producer.

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Later years - Day continued to participate in interviews and celebrations of her birthday, but these public appearances became increasingly rare.

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More honors - Later accolades include the Cecil B. DeMille Award for lifetime achievement in motion pictures (1989), the Presidential Medal of Freedom (2004), a Grammy for Lifetime Achievement in Music (2008), and three Grammy Hall of Fame Awards. However, many of these were awarded in absentia. In 2012, the Los Angeles Film Critics Association presented Day with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

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Animal welfare activism - An animal lover since her teens, Day remained a passionate advocate of animal welfare. She founded a number of national organizations dedicated to protecting animals through legislative initiatives.

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Carmel-by-the-Sea -

Since her withdrawal from public life, Day lived in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. She co-owned the Cypress Inn, regarded as the "pet friendliest hotel in America."

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Tribute - One of the rooms is called Terry's Lounge, and is furnished in tribute to Day's late son Terry. Gold records and other industry accolades decorate the walls.

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Doris Day Animal Foundation -

Inside the famous Cypress Inn. The retired actress kept herself busy with her Doris Day Animal Foundation until her passing.

See also: Who was Hollywood's "It Girl" the year you were born?

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