The Truth About Doris Day’s Off-Screen Life Proves That She Was Nothing Like Her Hollywood Persona
"Whatever will be, will be," crooned the elegant, perfectly coiffed Doris Day during the opening credits of her talk show. Audiences around the globe remember the late cinematic leading lady for her effortless grace and unflappable cheeriness. The conservative actress was labeled a safe, wholesome figure, but her most admirable trait was perhaps her ability to power through misfortune. Time and time again, Doris grappled with tragedy and pressed on, showing a far grittier side than we saw in any of her movies.
Innocent image
Back in the Golden Age of Hollywood, though, Day was widely regarded as an innocent alternative to the vampish Marilyn Monroe. In the press, she was painted as a woman plenty of men would love to make their wife. Monroe? She was a woman guys just wanted to seduce. And Day seemed more than happy to live up to this reputation – on camera, at least.
Hollywood everywoman
So, throughout the 1950s and early 1960s, Day charmed audiences everywhere with a string of roles that showcased her natural singing talent and sense of humor. But away from the movie lots, the Hollywood everywoman was practically a different person. She lived a life that saw much more tragedy than comedy.
Tragic life
These setbacks started when Day was still young. For one, her parents, William and Alma, had tragically lost their first son, Richard, before Day was born. Not only that, but the couple ultimately separated when the future movie star was only in her teens. And her ambition of becoming a professional dancer? That was also derailed when one of her legs was seriously maimed in an automobile accident.
Untapped talent
But this last traumatic event proved to be somewhat of a blessing in disguise. You see, while Day recuperated from her ordeal, she discovered a previously untapped talent. Inspired by Ella Fitzgerald – an artist she regularly heard on the radio – she began singing. And after receiving voice tuition, Day managed to land a gig on Carlin’s Carnival – a show on the radio network WLW. Yep, she managed to make some good lemonade out of those lemons.
