Doris Day, the perennial girl next door whose career as a singer and actress spanned almost 50 years and made her one of the biggest Hollywood stars and most popular entertainers in the United States, has died. She was 97. The Doris Day Animal Foundation told Fox News Day died early Monday at her Carmel Valley, Calif., home. The foundation said in an emailed statement she was surrounded by close friends and "had been in excellent physical health for her age, until recently contracting a serious case of pneumonia." Day was known as a honey-voiced singer and gifted actress whose film dramas, musicals and innocent sex comedies made her a top star in the 1950s and '60s and among the most popular screen actresses in history. DORIS DAY GIVES RARE INTERVIEW, RECALLS WORKING WITH 'DICK VAN DYKE SHOW' STAR ROSE MARIE Day's lilting voice, wholesome blond beauty and ultra-bright smile brought her a string of hits, first on records and later in Hollywood. Despite her seemingly perpetually sunny and smiling exterior, Day's life took a number of tragic turns, including the death of her only child, three divorces and the death of another husband who turned out to have squandered her earnings, leaving her deeply in debt. PEGGY LIPTON, STAR OF ‘MOD SQUAD’ AND ‘TWIN PEAKS,’ EX-WIFE OF QUINCY JONES, DIES AT 72 Her 1976 tell-all book, "Doris Day: Her Own Story," chronicled her money troubles and three failed marriages, contrasting with the happy publicity of her Hollywood career. "I have the unfortunate reputation of being Miss Goody Two-Shoes, America's Virgin, and all that, so I'm afraid it's going to shock some people for me to say this, but I staunchly believe no two people should get married until they have lived together," she wrote. PHOTOS: DORIS DAY'S LIFE IN PICTURES DORIS DAY STILL DEVOTED TO RESCUING ANIMALS AND MUSIC, SAYS BUSINESS MANAGER She never won an Academy Award, but Day was given a Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2004, as George W. Bush declared it "a good day for America when Doris Marianne von Kappelhoff of Evanston, Ohio decided to become an entertainer." In later years, she lived quietly near Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, where she was an animal welfare activist and founded the Doris Day Animal Foundation. Day was associated with any number of recordings, but her most famous and signature song was "Que Sera Sera" ("Whatever Will Be, Will Be") from Alfred Hitchcock's 1956 film "The Man Who Knew Too Much." DORIS DAY OPENS UP ABOUT LEAVING HOLLYWOOD, LOSING HER ONLY SON In a 2012 interview with NPR, Day admitted her initial reaction was "I didn't think it was a good song." But when it became wildly popular, she said, "I realized maybe it isn't a favorite song of mine but people loved it. And kids loved it. And it was perfect for the film. So I can't say it's a favorite song of mine, but boy, it sure did something." DORIS DAY GETS CANDID ON HER FRIENDSHIP WITH ROCK HUDSON IN RARE INTERVIEW Among her other well-known songs were "Secret Love" and "Everybody Loves a Lover." In movies, Day was Hollywood's quintessential "girl next door," with a sometimes sophisticated edge. Her leading men included Rock Hudson, Cary Grant, David Niven, Rex Harrison and James Garner. In fact, such was her wholesome image, entertainer Oscar Levant, famed for his mordant wit, once said, "I knew Doris Day before she became a virgin." Among her most popular films were three romantic comedies she did with Hudson: "Pillow Talk" (1959), which brought her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress, "Lover Come Back" (1961) and "Send Me No Flowers" (1964). ROCK HUDSON'S 'TRUE LOVE' SAYS THEY WEREN'T ALLOWED TO BE PHOTOGRAPHED TOGETHER She also starred in several beloved musicals, including 1953's "Calamity Jane" and 1957's "The Pajama Game" as well as comedies like 1960's "Please Don't Eat the Daisies" and the drama "Midnight Lace," also from 1960. Day reportedly turned down the role of Mrs. Robinson in "The Graduate," a part that eventually went to Anne Bancroft. Her last film, "With Six You Get Eggroll," was released in 1968. Day was born Doris Mary Ann Kappelhoff on April 3, 1922, in the Evanston neighborhood of Cincinnati, Ohio, and was named in honor of Doris Kenyon, a silent screen star. As a teenager, while recovering from injuries she suffered in a car crash, Day began to sing along with the radio, showing enough talent that her mother hired a singing teacher. She soon got a job as a girl vocalist with bandleader Barney Rapp, who suggested her last name was too unwieldy for marquees and so she changed it to Day after the song "Day After Day." A LIST OF DORIS DAY'S FILMS: FROM 'THE MAN WHO KNEW TOO MUCH' TO 'PILLOW TALK' Day worked with other bandleaders, including Les Brown, and by early 1945 had released her first hit recording "Sentimental Journey." Within three years, she made her first film appearance in "Romance on the High Seas." She married four times: to trombonist Al Jorden, saxophonist George Weidler, her manager Martin Melcher and restaurant maître d' Barry Comden. Day had one child, Terry Melcher, whose biological father was Jorden but who was adopted by Melcher. Terry Melcher died in 2004 of melanoma. When Martin Melcher died, Day discovered he and his business partner had decimated her earnings and left her in debt. In her autobiography, Day recalled her son telling her the $20 million she had earned had vanished and she owed around $450,000, mostly for taxes. Her husband also had committed her to a television series, which she later said she had no interest in doing, but felt obliged to honor Melcher's agreement. "The Doris Day Show" ran from 1968-73 with "Que Sera Sera" as its theme song. On losing her son, Day said in 2018: "My son was the love of my life. “We talked every day, and I miss him very much. [But] we can’t change the past. I think you have to get through the bad times to appreciate the good things in life." LUCILLE BALL’S GRANDDAUGHTER RECALLS GROWING UP WITH THE ‘I LOVE LUCY’ STAR: ‘SHE WAS A REALLY GOOD GRANDMA’ "I’ve had my share of both and I always say, ‘I’m like one of those dolls with the round bottom: If life deals you a blow, you just have to bounce right back!'" Day's legacy lasted throughout her life with her business manager and close friend Bob Bashara telling Fox News in 2017 that the star still received hundreds of letters a month and she answered them all. "A few years ago, we had a big birthday party for her and about 200 fans came to dinner,” Bashara told us. "Even though she doesn’t really make public appearances very often, she did that night. She made sure to greet everyone who attended." LEE PURCELL RECALLS BEING MENTORED BY PAL STEVE MCQUEEN, WORKING ALONGSIDE KIRK, MICHAEL DOUGLAS Over the years, Day had been asked to come out of retirement and scripts were sent her way. And while Bashara said at the time that Day was not interested in returning to the spotlight, she had not given up on her love for music. “She loves singing,” insisted Bashara. “She sings around the house a lot and her voice is terrific. We keep telling her she could record again if she wanted to. But she’ll say, ‘Oh, I’m rusty.” The Associated Press contributed to this report.<doc-sep>Despite Ms. Day’s perpetually sunny image, her life was marked by periods of physical, emotional and financial abuse. Her first husband beat her, her second couldn’t stomach her success and her third cheated her out of her hard-won fortune. By the time of her death, she had long retreated from show business and had gained renown for her work in animal welfare. In 2004, when she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, the award cited her influence as a performer and an activist.<doc-sep>The passing of legendary actress/singer Doris Day struck the entertainment community and her fellow celebrities. The "That Touch of Mink" actress died early Monday at her home in Carmel, California. She was 97. Paul McCartney grieved the star in a statement shared to his website, calling her "a true star in more ways than one." "I had the privilege of hanging out with her on a few occasions," the musician said in his statement. "Visiting her in her Californian home was like going to an animal sanctuary where her many dogs were taken care of in splendid style. She had a heart of gold and was a very funny lady who I shared many laughs with." "I will miss her but will always remember her twinkling smile and infectious laugh as well as the many great songs and movies she gave us," he added. "God bless Doris." Carl Reiner said he had recently reached out to Day, the female lead of the 1963 film he wrote, "The Thrill of It All." "Just a week ago, I contacted her and welcomed her to the 97 Year Actor's Club." Goldie Hawn saw Day as a bright light. "The great Doris Day left us and took a piece of the sun with her," she tweeted. "May she rest peacefully." "For those of us in my generation, Doris Day was synonymous with Hollywood icon," wrote George Takei. "She would no doubt remind us, upon this day of her passing, 'Que sera sera,' but we will miss her dearly anyway. Rest now in our hearts forever, Ms. Day." The Humane Society of the United States remembered Day with a statement reflecting on her decades of animal activism, announcing the creation of a new fund in her honor. "With the passing of legendary actress, singer and animal advocate Doris Day, the world has lost a generous and kind soul," wrote Kitty Block, the organization's CEO and president. "While I am mourning the loss of a woman whose grace, talent and compassion enriched my life and the lives of so many others, I want to celebrate the amazing life that Doris led and memorialize her work for animals." "Continuing her legacy of protecting animals, the Humane Society of the United States is creating the Doris Day Memorial Fund to support the ongoing efforts to protect the animals she cared for so deeply. Contributions will support programs to end horse slaughter and cosmetics testing on animals, to stop puppy mills, to spay and neuter pets, and to fund all of the organization’s animal protection efforts." The Doris Day Animal League, founded in 1987, posted a statement to its Facebook page. "Doris was truly a voice for the voiceless among us, and one of the world's most-loved and most-honored women–a bright and beautiful champion for the cause of animal welfare, and a dear, dear friend to us all," the statement read. "As you remember Doris today, give a thought to the animals she cared for so deeply." Similarly, PETA Senior Vice President Lisa Lange also mourned her passing while remembering Day's love for animals. "Doris Day was a silver screen and singing legend, but PETA will always remember her for her most important role: animal champion," the Lange said in a statement issued to USA TODAY. "She personally rescued, fostered, and found loving homes for hundreds of animals; founded an organization to stop animal homelessness through spaying and neutering; and formed the Doris Day Animal League, which joined PETA in opposing cruel chemical tests on animals. Day was a warm, kind, generous person, and she will be missed by all of us here at PETA." Among the many other celebrities commemorating Day's life and legacy was William Shatner, who offered his condolences to Day's relatives. "She was the World’s Sweetheart and beloved by all," he wrote. Seth MacFarlane praised Day as a "great Hollywood talent," and encouraged his followers to "appreciate" her talents in a clip shared from the 1955 movie "Love Me or Leave Me." "The one, the only, the woman who inspired so much of what I do... Doris Day I love you, my calamity Jane," Stella McCartney wrote on Twitter. "An iconic woman who I was hugely honoured to meet and share precious moments with. Rest in peace x" Sharing a GIF of the star, Antonio Banderas expressed his gratitude: "Thank you for your talent." The Academy remembered Day's "humor, extraordinary talent and kind heart." "She was one of a kind," Katie Couric posted, reflecting on the "Pillow Talk" star. Nina Garcia, Elle's editor in chief, shared a quote attributed to Day. " 'I like joy; I want to be joyous; I want to have fun on the set; I want to wear beautiful clothes and look pretty. I want to smile, and I want to make people laugh. And that's all I want. I like it. I like being happy. I want to make others happy,' " Garcia tweeted. "RIP Doris Day." Luke Evans bid Day farewell, writing on Twitter, "Goodbye Doris Day, there was only one of you! I have always loved your voice and the beautiful songs you made eternal. RIP." Piers Morgan shared kind words for Day: "Fabulous life, fabulous star, fabulous woman." Contributing: Jayme Deerwester<doc-sep>
Doris Day, the beautiful blonde whose sunny screen presence and silken singing voice guaranteed box-office and record-chart hits in the ’40s, ’50s and ’60s, has died, her rep confirms to PEOPLE. She was 97. Day died at 1:00 A.M. on Monday at her home in California, the rep says. The Associated Press was first to report the news, which comes nearly two months after the actress celebrated her birthday and shared a recent photo with PEOPLE. Although in 2012 she released a CD of songs she recorded years ago, since the early ’80s, the world’s favorite “girl next door” kept a low profile and lived on 11 acres in Carmel, California, where she devoted most of her time to her charitable organization. Some speculated that she turned her attention to furry friends because of all the people who had disappointed her in her lifetime, though Day herself never publicly addressed the subject. Three of her four marriages ended in divorce, and her third husband (and manager) Martin Melcher died and left her broke until she sued to reclaim more than $20 million from his business partner. Doris DayCR: Courtesy Doris Day Credit: Courtesy Doris Day Despite her immense popularity — by the early ’60s, she was the No. 1 box-office star on the planet — Day was often greatly underrated, and, blaming her fear of flying, turned down several awards and accolades, including (it was discussed) an honorary Oscar and the Kennedy Center Honor. One prize she never lost: the unbridled love of an adoring public. Music and movies Born Doris Mary Ann Kappelhoff, the daughter of a Cincinnati music teacher and a homemaker, the crystal-voiced pop soprano changed her name to Day when, as a teen, she began singing on the radio. After appearances with the Big Bands of Barney Rapp and Bob Crosby, she joined Les Brown’s Band and had her first hit with “Sentimental Journey.” Going solo in 1947, she successfully auditioned for Warner Bros. the following year and was cast in the studio’s attempts to rival the romantic musicals that were the specialty of MGM. Doris Day Credit: Martin Mills/Getty Images Doris Day Credit: Silver Screen Collection/Hulton Archive/Getty Images Doris Day Credit: Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images By the mid-’50s came better roles at other studios. This included what even she considered her best film, 1954’s Love Me or Leave Me, a dramatic, though highly fictionalized, biopic of ’20s singer Ruth Etting, who lived under the thumb of her short-tempered, controlling husband. (Day played down parallels between the movie’s plot and her own life.) In 1956, for Alfred Hitchcock, she co-starred with James Stewart in The Man Who Knew Too Much, in which she introduced the Oscar-winning song that became her signature, “Que Sera Sera.” In 1959 she was paired for the first time with Rock Hudson, in the racy romantic comedy Pillow Talk, which resulted in her one and only Best Actress Oscar nomination, and also her greatest box-office success. Two more vehicles with Hudson (and sidekick Tony Randall) followed, as did similar comedies in which Day — sometimes as a career woman, but always squeaky clean — costarred with Cary Grant, James Garner, and Rod Taylor. Doris Day Credit: Pictorial Parade/Archive Photos/Getty Images Loved to laugh As the ’60s wound down, Day turned to TV, having been forced there by a contract signed by late husband Melcher without her knowledge. CBS’s 1968-73 The Doris Day Show never rose above the level of being a poor man’s Mary Tyler Moore Show, and Day herself was highly critical of it. For Day, as she told PEOPLE in 2011, her greatest loss in life was the 2004 death (from melanoma) of her son, music producer Terry Melcher. “I had him when I was [18], so we were like sister and brother,” said Day, who found his passing “really hard. But I keep him with me.”