Laraine Day

Biography

Laraine Day, born La Raine Johnson, emerged as a prominent film star during the 1940s and 1950s. Growing up in a distinguished Mormon family in Utah, she ventured to Hollywood in her youth, making her cinematic debut in an uncredited role in *Stella Dallas*. Day's early career included a notable appearance as the birth mother of Tarzan and Jane's adopted son in *Tarzan Finds a Son*. Her breakthrough came in 1939 when she starred in the popular *Dr. Kildare* series, portraying Kildare's nurse and romantic partner across several sequels, culminating in her character's marriage in *Dr. Kildare's Wedding Day*.

In 1942, she reunited with co-star Lew Ayres in the suspenseful film *Fingers at the Window*. Over the years, Day appeared in a diverse array of films, including the intricate drama *The Locket*, the comedy *Mr. Lucky*, and the cult classic *I Married a Communist*. She played a significant role in the ensemble cast of *The High and the Mighty*, and in Hitchcock's *Foreign Correspondent*, she prompted Joel McCrea’s dramatic war report.

As television gained popularity, Day transitioned to the small screen, hosting *Daydreaming with Laraine* and *The Laraine Day Show*. She also made history as one of the first female sports reporters on *Day with the Giants*. After a brief return to film with *The Third Voice* in 1960, she continued to make guest appearances on popular shows until the mid-1980s. Following her retirement, Day remained active in her community and church until her passing in November 2007 at the age of 87. She is laid to rest at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles.