Doris Day: How Her Star Power Went Beyond the Big Screen

Doris Day had many facets to her career. She was in 39 films, recorded 29 albums, and was a radio and a TV star. Before she went solo, she sang with several big bands. Day started her rise to fame as a band singer in 1939, and released her first hit record, “Sentimental Journey,” in 1945.

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When her husband, Marty Melcher, died unexpectedly, Day discovered her husband had squandered almost all her earnings and she was millions of dollars in debt. Going to court, she received a $22 million settlement against a man where Melcher had invested her money, according to IMDb.com.

Day married four times. After her divorce in 1980, she decided to devote her life to animals. She founded the Doris Day Animal League in Carmel, California, which promotes homes and the proper care of pets.

Here's a look at Day's star power beyond the big screen:

1. Host, "The Doris Day Show" (1952)
Before TV, Day had a radio show that aired in 1952, featuring many stars and friends who helped her career including Danny Thomas, Kirk Douglas, Frankie Lane and Ronald Reagan. The CBS show had a 25-minute format. During the show, she granted written requests from G.I. who were in Korea fighting the war. Each week, she would feature one of a soldier’s favorite songs.

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2. Doris Martin, “The Doris Day Show,” (1968-1973)
Day’s television show, “The Doris Day Show,” was on the air from 1968-1973. This show changed formats through the years. Originally, it was about a widow with two young sons, who moved to her father’s ranch. In season two, the show moved Day from the ranch to San Francisco where she went from a secretary to becoming a magazine publisher. As the show progressed, Day became a magazine writer and appeared to be single as the kids disappeared from the show.

3. Performer, "Doris Day Today" (1975)
Classified by IMDb.com as a TV movie, the hour-long special featured Day performing her greatest hits. Guests on "Doris Day Today" included Sammy Davis Jr., Tim Conway and John Denver.

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