Doris Day was born on April 3, 1924 in Cincinnati, Ohio as Doris Mary Ann Von Kappelhoff. Stardom was an instant ambition for the young entertainment hopeful.  Doris longed to become a professional dancer; however, a serious car accident in 1936 caused the 12 year old to reevaluate her plans for a successful dancing career when her leg was seriously injured in the automobile mishap.  The accident proved to be temporary setback for Doris.  Although her desire to be a professional ballerina was seriously shattered, Doris never completely abandoned her dream of entertainment stardom.  Her youthful energy was channeled instead into acquiring singing lessons.
    Doris Kappelhoff, as she was still known, had an unshakeable faith in herself.  The young starlet had so impressed her voice instructor that he secured air time for her on a local radio station, where she was approached by local band leader, Barney Rapp. Rapp felt that Doris’s name, Kappelhoff, was too awkward and that the young singer should change her name to something more pleasant sounding; Doris Day for example.  The name “Day” was suggested by Rapp from one of the songs in the singer’s current repertoire, “Day after Day.”  Doris begrudging complied with Rapp’s request, feeling at first, the name “Doris Day” made her sound too much like a burlesque performer.  
     Eventually, Day began touring with Les Brown’s band in 1940 and eventually married her sweetheart, Al Jordan. Jordan had performed as a trombone player in Rapp’s band.  Doris Day was barely 17.  The ill-fated marriage ended in a divorce in 1942 and soon reports of Jordan’s abuse of the young star began to run rampant in Hollywood.  Despondent after the divorce, and feeling his life had little meaning after his much publicized divorce from Doris Day, Al Jordan took his own life. 


Doris Day and Rock Hudson, Pillow Talk

    Doris Day had twelve popular hits with Les Brown’s band, among which were ‘Sentimental Journey’ and ‘My dreams are getting better all the time.’  After her short-lived marriage to Jordan, Day was inspired to compose the song entitled ‘Sentimental Journey.” The hit song made Doris Day popular with millions of adoring fans.
     Doris Day made her first screen appearance in the Warner Bros. musical, Romance on the High Seas (1948). Her wholesome image brought her continued success in musicals such as Calamity Jane in 1953, and romantic comedies such as Teacher’s Pet in 1958, Pillow Talk in 1959, The Pajama Game in 1957, and Alfred Hitchcock’s The Man Who Knew Too Much.  In Alfred Hitchcock's The Man Who knew Too Much, she sang the popular song, "Whatever Will Be (Que Será, Será)", which won an Oscar for the year’s best song.
     Doris Day captivated the attention of America as the innocent, yet alluring woman with the wholesome personality. Doris Day projected an all-American image that brought a refreshing spin to women of beauty. Doris Day’s chic fashion style also made her a popular icon with American women in the 1950’s and early 1960’s.
      Doris Day’s presence on the big screen came at a time when beauty and innocence had been replaced in American cinema by the dismal images of World War II. Women in American society were captivated by the presence of a beautiful woman in roles where the perky attitude-Day had a job; was single, and had a memorable sense of style.
     In 1959, Pillow Talk portrayed Day’s character as the strong, assertive woman, who was not only content with being single; she also ran her own successful business. The popular role landed Doris Day an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. 
     Doris Day’s screen image was catered to the perfection of fashion.   The screen legend dawned attire such as tweed pencil skirts, cropped jackets, pillbox hats, and white satin strapless gowns. The Doris Day on-screen persona epitomized grace, coolness and femininity. In 2003, Peyton Reed directed the popular romantic comedy Down with Love, which was a wonderful tribute to the Doris Day comedies of yesteryear.  Down with Love featured the dynamic acting duo of Renee Zellweger and Scottish actor, Ewan McGregor, in roles that were reminiscent of Doris Day and Rock Hudson.