Doris Day was America's Sweetheart, a box-office titan whose sunny disposition lit up the screen. But a star's shine is often amplified by their scene partners. Here are seven of her most memorable co-stars, and where to see them shine on their own.
1. Rock Hudson
The
quintessential Doris Day leading man, Rock Hudson was her partner in three iconic romantic comedies: 'Pillow Talk,' 'Lover Come Back,' and 'Send Me No Flowers.' Their on-screen chemistry was electric, defining the sophisticated sex-comedy genre of the early 1960s. Hudson’s blend of towering masculinity and surprising comedic vulnerability made him the perfect foil for Day's plucky characters. Their genuine off-screen friendship translated into a palpable sense of fun and affection. Beyond their collaborations, Hudson delivered a powerful, Oscar-nominated performance in the sprawling Texas epic 'Giant' (1956), starring alongside Elizabeth Taylor and James Dean. It showcases his dramatic range as a wealthy rancher navigating love, family, and social change.
2. Cary Grant
When two of the biggest stars in Hollywood finally teamed up, the result was pure charm. Cary Grant and Doris Day only made one film together, 'That Touch of Mink' (1962), but it was a box-office smash. Grant plays a wealthy, debonair playboy who attempts to woo Day's wholesome, unemployed character with a trip to Bermuda. The film is a fizzy, delightful comedy that leans heavily on the charisma of its leads. To see Grant at the peak of his powers, look no further than Alfred Hitchcock's 'North by Northwest' (1959). This quintessential thriller features Grant as an advertising executive mistaken for a spy, leading to a cross-country chase that is stylish, witty, and endlessly entertaining.
3. James Garner
With a laid-back charm that was both roguish and relatable, James Garner was another ideal comedic partner for Day. They starred in two beloved rom-coms, 'The Thrill of It All' (1963) and 'Move Over, Darling' (1963). In 'The Thrill of It All,' he plays an obstetrician whose life is turned upside down when his wife (Day) becomes a famous soap commercial star. Garner’s expert timing and everyman quality made their on-screen coupling feel both hilarious and grounded. For a different side of Garner, watch his performance in the classic World War II adventure 'The Great Escape' (1963). As Hendley, 'The Scrounger,' he’s effortlessly cool, resourceful, and a key part of one of cinema's greatest ensemble casts.
4. James Stewart
In a departure from her usual comedic fare, Doris Day co-starred with the legendary James Stewart in Alfred Hitchcock's suspense masterpiece, 'The Man Who Knew Too Much' (1956). As a vacationing American couple whose son is kidnapped to prevent them from revealing an assassination plot, Day and Stewart create a portrait of a marriage under extreme pressure. Stewart's frantic, everyman desperation is the perfect anchor for the film's mounting tension. Day also gets a standout moment performing the Oscar-winning song 'Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be).' To experience Stewart's most iconic role, 'It's a Wonderful Life' (1946) is essential viewing, a timeless classic about the impact one man has on his community.
5. Gordon MacRae
Before she was the queen of romcoms, Doris Day was a musical star, and her most frequent partner in song was Gordon MacRae. With his rich, baritone voice, MacRae was the perfect musical match for Day's honeyed vocals. They starred in several nostalgic musicals together, including 'On Moonlight Bay' (1951) and its sequel 'By the Light of the Silvery Moon' (1953). These films are wholesome, Technicolor delights depicting smalltown American life at the turn of the century. MacRae is perhaps best known for his starring role as the cowboy Curly in the film adaptation of the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic 'Oklahoma!' (1955), where his powerful voice and charming presence are on full display.
6. Jack Lemmon
Jack Lemmon and Doris Day teamed up for the 1959 comedy 'It Happened to Jane.' Day plays a smalltown lobster businesswoman who takes on a powerful railroad tycoon, with Lemmon as her loyal, longsuffering lawyer and friend. Though not one of their biggest hits, the film is a charming DavidvsGoliath story that showcases Lemmon’s signature blend of frantic energy and heartfelt sincerity. Both stars reportedly became great friends. For peak Jack Lemmon, you must watch 'Some Like It Hot' (1959) or 'The Apartment' (1960). In 'The Apartment,' he gives one of his finest performances as an office worker who lets executives use his flat for their affairs, a role that is both deeply funny and profoundly sad.
7. Clark Gable
In 'Teacher's Pet' (1958), Doris Day, the ultimate professional, goes headtohead with 'The King of Hollywood,' Clark Gable. He plays a tough, oldschool newspaper editor who scoffs at the idea of journalism school, while she plays the idealistic professor. He enrolls in her class incognito to prove her wrong, and sparks inevitably fly. It was a meeting of two different generations of Hollywood royalty, and their chemistry crackles with witty banter. While Gable is forever known as Rhett Butler in 'Gone with the Wind,' a perfect introduction to his roguish charm is the groundbreaking romantic comedy 'It Happened One Night' (1934). His turn as a cynical reporter opposite Claudette Colbert won him an Oscar and set the template for the genre.
