Thyra Doris Marion Swanstrom, a woman of Swedish descent, was born in the vibrant city of Chicago, Illinois. Her journey in the entertainment industry began with her enchanting voice, singing on NBC radio and captivating audiences in nightclubs. With her striking blonde looks, she caught the attention of many, including the esteemed Major Bowes, who featured her on his popular radio show "Major Bowes' Original Amateur Hour" in New York. This breakthrough led to a nine-week stint at the iconic Rainbow Room in midtown Manhattan, a hotspot frequented by the city's elite.
As her fame grew, a Warner Brothers talent scout discovered her potential for the big screen, and she was signed to a contract in November 1936. After several name options were considered, she was officially known as Doris Weston. The following year, she co-starred with Dick Powell in the musical "The Singing Marine" (1937),replacing Ruby Keeler. Unfortunately, the on-screen chemistry between the leads was lacking, and the film's plot was deemed flimsy. However, Doris's powerful vocals shone in the ballad "Night Over Shanghai," penned by Harry Warren and Johnny Mercer.
Despite this early success, Doris's career began to decline, and she only managed a brief resurgence as Betty Houston, the love interest of Mandrake, the Magician (1939),in the Columbia serial. She later appeared in a western alongside Johnny Mack Brown before retiring from films. Tragically, Doris passed away at the age of 42 due to lung cancer in July 1960.
