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Doris Day was born Doris Mary Kappelhoff on April 3, 1922 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

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In the late 1930s, she began to sing, and in 1939 adopted the stage surname "Day." Her first hit recording, 'Sentimental Journey,' was released in 1949. Pictured is a young Doris Day at the Aquarium Jazz Club, New York City, in 1946.

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By 1948 she was an established radio performer and vocalist, and had scored a number-one hit with 'Love Somebody.' She began touring the United States and her pure voice and wholesome looks led the burgeoning star into the movie business.

▲Doris Day in 'Romance on the High Seas,' her film debut. The movie provided her with a number two hit song, 'It's Magic.'

▲The 1950s saw Day's star in the ascent, and she began to blossom in front of the camera.

▲She appeared in several nostalgic period musicals, including 'Tea for Two' with Gordon MacRae.

▲This musical comedy costarred James Cagney. She's pictured here again, however, with Gordon MacRae.

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Charming and well-liked, Day was quickly becoming a big hit with the movie-going public. US servicemen in Korea voted her their favorite star.

▲In 1951, Day married Martin Melcher, her third marriage. It lasted until his death in 1968 from a heart condition.

▲This was Day's most commercially successful film for Warner Brothers, breaking box-office records.

▲Meanwhile, she continued making lighthearted musicals such as this one, which costarred Ray Bolger.

▲In 1953, Day shot to even bigger fame with this comedic, Western-themed musical, which costarred Howard Keel.

▲Day is pictured in 1953 with husband Martin Melcher and son Terry (from her first marriage to Al Jordan), whom Melcher adopted. In all, Doris Day was married four times.

▲Day at the 'Young at Heart' recording sessions, which featured in the film that was released in 1955.

▲Actress Betty Hutton with Day, Martin Melcher, and Hutton's husband, Alan Livingstone, at a Hollywood celebrity get-together.

▲The teaming up of Day with Frank Sinatra in this musical produced an album, 'Young at Heart,' which featured songs by both of them.

▲Day appeared again with James Cagney in this gritty and highly regarded biographical romantic musical drama, which garnered a clutch of Academy nominations.

▲Costarring James Stewart and directed by Alfred Hitchcock, this suspense thriller marked a change of direction for Day.

▲Day's character, a well-known retired singer, ends up performing 'Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be),' which won the Academy Award for Best Original Song and reached number two in the US pop charts and the top spot in the UK.

▲Day is seen here receiving a silver teapot from English fans during a break in filming in London of 'The Man Who Knew Too Much.'

▲Day followed this with another dramatic role, appearing in the film noir 'Julie.' The movie was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay and Best Song, 'Julie,' which Day sang over the opening credits.

▲Taking time off in 1958 and enjoying the sights in New York's Times Square.

▲Day and co-star Richard Widmark during a break in filming. The actress had returned to her musical roots and subsequently picked up a nomination for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy.

▲The actress caught in an unguarded moment applying her own makeup before appearing in front of the cameras.

▲The first of the so-called bedroom comedies, and the first film to team up Day with Rock Hudson. The production marked the beginning of the most successful phase of Day's film career.

▲A critical and box-office success, the film saw Day nominated as Best Actress in a Leading Role, among a string of other Academy and Golden Globe nominations. It won an Oscar for Best Writing (Original Screenplay).

▲With 'Pillow Talk,' Day cemented a lifelong friendship with her leading man, a bond that would last until his death in 1985.

▲With co-star David Niven trying to crack a crossword between takes.

▲Day reads the script out loud to one of her dogs. The actress remained passionate about canines, and animal welfare in general, until her death.

▲Day received Golden Globe and Laurel Award nominations for Best Motion Picture Actress-Drama for this mystery thriller, which costarred Rex Harrison.

▲Relaxing with Frank Sinatra and Lauren Bacall under the admiring glances of a legion of film fans.

▲A proud Day at home undertaking domestic chores.

▲Starring alongside another Hollywood heartthrob, this time Cary Grant, Day again won a Laurel Award for best female comedy performance.

▲Noted for being Doris Day's last screen musical, the film was nominated for an Academy Award for the adaptation of its Rodgers and Hart score.

▲During 1960 and 1962 through 1964, Day ranked number one at the American box office and was a hot casting choice, receiving seven consecutive Laurel Awards for her film roles.

▲Costarring James Garner, this jolly remake of 'My Favorite Wife' (1940) saw Day nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture Actress – Musical or Comedy. Her song, 'Move Over Darling,' was a top 10 hit in the UK.

▲Some critics noted the tired formula and somewhat diminishing onscreen chemistry between both characters. Others believed it was the best of the Day/Hudson vehicles.

▲This romantic comedy costarring Rod Taylor is also known as the 'The Spy in Lace Panties.' Day was again nominated for a Laurel Award for best female comedy performance.

▲The wacky plot and offbeat mid-60s vibe appealed to a younger audience and the film was a financial success.

▲Slammed by critics and a box-office bomb, this is arguably Day's worst film. However, the movie has since been reappraised for its modish mix of slapstick, satire, and adventure.

▲This comedy tackled 1960s themes of feminism in a traditional Western setting and saw Day wielding a gun and talking tough.

▲This is one of only three films not to feature a vocal by Day (the others being 1967's 'The Ballad of Josie' and 1968's 'With Six You Get Eggroll'), and was her final film appearance.

▲Moving into television, albeit reluctantly (her husband, Martin Melcher, who died in April 1968, had committed her to a television series without her consent), the first episode of 'The Doris Day Show' aired in September 1968.

▲The show enjoyed a five-year run, from 1968 to 1973. She's pictured with actor Lew Ayres in 1970.

▲She also appeared in two television specials, 'The Doris Mary Anne Kappelhoff Special' (1971) and 'Doris Day to Day' (1975). She's pictured here with musician John Denver.

▲Day largely retired from showbiz after 'The Doris Day Show,' although she made a brief comeback in the mid-1980s with 'Doris Day's Best Friends.'

▲The following years saw Day embroiled in lawsuits surrounding a series of failed business ventures and real estate investments allegedly made by Melcher and his business partner Jerome Rosenthal, who was also the entertainer's attorney.

▲On November 19, 2004, Day's son, Terry (pictured), died of cancer at age 62 after a long illness. He was a successful musician and record producer.

▲Day continued to participate in interviews and celebrations of her birthday, but these public appearances became increasingly rare.

▲Later accolades include the Cecil B. DeMille Award for lifetime achievement in motion pictures (1989), the Presidential Medal of Freedom (2004), a Grammy for Lifetime Achievement in Music (2008), and three Grammy Hall of Fame Awards. However, many of these were awarded in absentia. In 2012, the Los Angeles Film Critics Association presented Day with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

▲An animal lover since her teens, Day remained a passionate advocate of animal welfare. She founded a number of national organizations dedicated to protecting animals through legislative initiatives.

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Following her withdrawal from public life, Day lived in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. She co-owned the Cypress Inn, regarded as the "pet friendliest hotel in America."

▲One of the rooms is called Terry's Lounge, and is furnished in tribute to Day's late son Terry. Gold records and other industry accolades decorate the walls.

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Inside the famous Cypress Inn. The retired actress kept herself busy with her Doris Day Animal Foundation until her passing.

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Among the many musical numbers Day performed was 'Secret Love,' which won the Academy Award for Best Original Song. It became her fourth US number one hit single.

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Her second film with Rock Hudson. Day picked up a Laurel Award for best female comedy performance.

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Her third and last film with Rock Hudson, 'Send Me No Flowers' was a commercial success, but reviews were mixed.

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On May 13, 2019, Doris Day passed away at 97 years old in her California home. A Hollywood screen legend, Day was the quintessential all-American girl. A huge film and music star during the 1950s and 1960s, Day's squeaky clean image and honey-toned voice made her one of the most popular entertainers of the 20th century. She had rarely been seen in public in the last years of her life, however as a passionate advocate of animal rights Day kept herself busy at home promoting the welfare of wildlife around the world through her Doris Day Animal Foundation.

Browse this gallery and recall the life and work of America's original "girl next door."

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This was quickly followed by the romantic comedy 'My Dream is Yours,' which featured the song 'Someone Like You.'