Legendary actress, singer, and philanthropist Doris Day passed away early Monday morning at the age of 97.
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The Doris Day Animal Foundation confirmed her passing in a statement on their website:
“Day had been in excellent physical health for her age, until recently contracting a serious case of pneumonia, resulting in her death. She was surrounded by a few close friends as she passed.”
Born Mary Ann Von Kappelhoff on April 3, 1922 in Cincinnati, Ohio, she began her career at the young age of 15, and worked for nearly three decades in film, largely starring in musical-comedies. Day is regarded as one of the leading actresses of the ’50s and ’60s, and was one of the last surviving stars of the Golden Age of Hollywood, working in 39 films that spanned nearly every movie genre.
Many of her musical works, including Sentimental Journey and Que Sera Sera, are still beloved by many worldwide to this day. Most recently, she released her 29th studio album, My Heart, in 2011 which included new songs as well as un-released material previously recorded in the mid-1980s for her Doris Day’s Best Friends TV program.
Honors for her work include the Presidential Medal of Freedom awarded in 2004 by President George W. Bush, and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008. She was also nominated for an Oscar for her starring role in Pillow Talk in 1960.
She was married four times, and had one son, Terry Melcher, from her third marriage. Melcher was a music producer and songwriter who passed away of melanoma in November 2004.
In the release on the foundation’s website, they expanded on the work that Day had been doing since founding the charity in 1978:
“Since the ‘70s, Day had focused her energies on the Doris Day Animal Foundation. Her lifelong compassion for animals compelled her to fight animal testing and to advocate for spay/neuter education and outreach programs in the U.S. Today, her early Spay Day program had become an international event, with World Spay Day providing thousands of free or reduced-cost spay and neuter surgeries in 75 countries. The Doris Day Animal Foundation continues to provide support to smaller rescue organizations nationwide, with a special focus on those assisting senior pets.”
The non-profit continued, also sharing the actress’ final wishes:
“Doris’ passionate work on behalf of dogs, cats, horses, sea lions, raptors and other animals in need of rescue, veterinary care and adoption will not end. The Doris Day Animal Foundation is committed to continuing its work as a grant-giving organization, funding smaller animal welfare non-profits across the country. Doris’ wishes were that she have no funeral or memorial service and no grave marker.”
Our thoughts are with her family and friends during this difficult time.
CLICK HERE to view “Stars We Lost In 2019”
CLICK HERE to view “Stars We Lost In 2019”
CLICK HERE to view “Stars We Lost In 2019”
CLICK HERE to view “Stars We Lost In 2019”
CLICK HERE to view “Stars We Lost In 2019”
[Image via Warner Brothers/YouTube.]
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