Hollywood is singing the praises of Doris Day on Monday following news of the entertainment icon’s death, with fellow stars praising Day for her natural charm and warmth that could light up the screen.
Day died at age 97 at her home in Carmel Valley, California, after contracting pneumonia, the Doris Day Animal Foundation confirmed Monday morning.
“She was a true star in more ways than one,” former Beatles singer Paul McCartney wrote on his personal blog. “he had a heart of gold and was a very funny lady who I shared many laughs with. Her films like ‘Calamity Jane’, ‘Move Over, Darling’ and many others were all incredible and her acting and singing always hit the mark.”
Goldie Hawn wrote, “The great Doris Day left us and took a piece of the sun with her. She brighten our lives and lived out her life with dignity.”
“Condolences to the family of Doris Day. She was the World’s Sweetheart and beloved by all,” William Shatner said in a tweet.
“Goodbye Doris Day, there was only one of you! I have always loved your voice and the beautiful songs you made eternal,” actor Luke Evans said.
As a singer in the ’40s and one of Hollywood’s major box office draws in the late ’50s and early ’60s, Day embodied a wholesome, girl-next-door sexuality across comedies such as “Pillow Talk,” musicals like “Calamity Jane,” and thrillers and melodramas like Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Man Who Knew Too Much.”
By the late ’60s and early ’70s, Day starred for five seasons on her own show, “The Doris Day Show.” Though Hollywood had moved past Day and her image of innocent sexuality opposite other screen icons like Rock Hudson and Cary Grant, her legacy has been reassessed by modern feminist critics as an early example of a working woman on screen more interested in her career than romance.
“The one, the only, the woman who inspired so much of what I do,” designer Stella McCartney tweeted. “Doris Day I love you, my calamity Jane. An iconic woman who I was hugely honoured to meet and share precious moments with.”
“For those of us in my generation, Doris Day was synonymous with Hollywood icon,” George Takei tweeted. “She would no doubt remind us, upon this day of her passing, ‘Que será será,’ but we will miss her dearly anyway. Rest now in our hearts forever, Ms. Day.”
In 1973, Day retired and devoted her life to the protection of animals, forming the Doris Day Animal Foundation. Her work was likewise recognized by PETA on Monday.
“Doris Day was a silver screen and singing legend, but PETA will always remember her for her most important role: animal champion,” Lisa Lange, SVP for PETA said in a statement. “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.”
See more tributes to Day below:
Today, we remember Doris Day, who brought us so much joy with her humor, extraordinary talent and kind heart. Farewell to a Hollywood legend. pic.twitter.com/8szI4Fbji3
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) May 13, 2019
Doris Day, Hollywood's Favorite Girl Next Door, Dies at 97 https://t.co/Varenb4298 via @thr
— Guillermo del Toro (@RealGDT) May 13, 2019
Condolences to the family of Doris Day. She was the World’s Sweetheart and beloved by all. ❤️ Que Será, Será!😞
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) May 13, 2019
https://twitter.com/SethMacFarlane/status/1127937425647460352
Goodbye Doris Day, there was only one of you! I have always loved your voice and the beautiful songs you made eternal. RIP. Hollywood actress and singer, dies aged 97 https://t.co/91iCHCO6Y2
— Luke Evans (@TheRealLukevans) May 13, 2019
For those of us in my generation, Doris Day was synonymous with Hollywood icon. 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.
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) May 13, 2019
Doris Day shines forever.#DorisDay pic.twitter.com/41Rzx1zOqs
— Harris-Walz 2024 (@GregProops) May 13, 2019
The one, the only, the woman who inspired so much of what I do… Doris Day I love you, my calamity Jane. An iconic woman who I was hugely honoured to meet and share precious moments with. Rest in peace x pic.twitter.com/brkli7fKYE
— Stella McCartney (@StellaMcCartney) May 13, 2019
When I was young I thought Doris Day was a movie star the world had eventually grown out of. Then I grew into her. A unique talent whose best work is still an utter delight. (One fave: The Thrill of It All.) Like Ginger Rogers, she made it look so easy. RIP.
— Mark Harris (@MarkHarrisNYC) May 13, 2019
Doris Day was kind and decent, onscreen and off; she maintained her friendship with Rock Hudson after his AIDS diagnosis, in a climate of fear and abandonment – one of his last appearances was on a TV show with her. Here they are in younger days: pic.twitter.com/wK0d47ri0J
— Paul Rudnick (@PaulRudnickNY) May 13, 2019
Farewell to the great Doris Day.
Here's the legendary actor and singer at the Hall in 1955, being directed by Alfred Hitchcock. She's about to spot a bad guy in our Door 6 porch, setting up the nerve-shredding finale of 'The Man Who Knew Too Much' 🎥 pic.twitter.com/yIuyZfldQc— Royal Albert Hall (@RoyalAlbertHall) May 13, 2019
RIP to the one, the only Doris Day. pic.twitter.com/01rV9D7bq9
— edgarwright (@edgarwright) May 13, 2019
https://twitter.com/ColeEscola/status/1127943581589737479
https://twitter.com/RaySteeleRTV6/status/1127920657520570368
Ah no!
The incomparable Doris Day has said goodnight.
A truly gifted and remarkably versatile actress with one of the most iconic voices of all time and her chemistry with Rock Hudson alone confirmed her greatness.
RIP Doris 🙁 pic.twitter.com/R4Y6nfLGVL
— 📻 ED SMITH 📻 (@EdTodayFM) May 13, 2019
No matter how old you are, it’s the music and movies of your youth that forever stir you. Kudos to Doris Day for the smiles she gave, the happiness she inspired and a life well lived. May her spirit soar.
— Marianne Williamson (@marwilliamson) May 13, 2019
Rest In Peace Doris Day
"Que sera, sera.
Whatever will be, will be;
The future's not ours to see.
Que sera, sera,
What will be, will be." pic.twitter.com/sfRnMH9OJX— Tom Green (@tomgreenlive) May 13, 2019