Doris Day, celebrated actor and singer, dies at 97

Hollywood star Doris Day, whose films made her one of the biggest female stars of all time, has died at the age of 97. According to AP, the Doris Day Animal Foundation confirmed the news stating that Day died early Monday at her Carmel Valley, California home. In an emailed statement, the foundation said Day was surrounded by close friends and ‘had been in excellent physical health for her age, until recently contracting a serious case of pneumonia."

The actress, born in Cincinnati, Ohio, was popular for a string of for a string of successful musicals and romantic comedies, including Pillow Talk. She was also a celebrated singer. Day started her acting career with 1948 musical comedy Romance on the High Seas. She got the opportunity after Betty Hutton dropped out due to pregnancy. 

Day was once one of the biggest female box office stars in American history and an accomplished, award-winning singer, who retired in her 50s to follow her dreams into animal activism and rescue. She was also awarded a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008.

Her two songs - Secret Love and Que Sera Sera also won Academy Awards for Best Original Song in the 1950s.

The actor represented a wholesome image and an era of innocence through her screen image.