Who is Doris McCarthy?

Doris McCarthy, born in 1926, was a Canadian artist and a commercial actor best known for her work in advertising campaigns for the department store Eaton's. Born in Calgary, Alberta, McCarthy moved to Toronto in the 1930s with her family and studied at the Ontario College of Art.

In the early 1950s, McCarthy began working as a commercial artist, creating illustrations for magazines and advertising campaigns. She soon caught the eye of Eaton's, one of Canada's largest retail chains, which hired her as a commercial actor. McCarthy quickly became the store's most popular spokesperson, appearing in dozens of TV and print ads throughout the 1950s and 60s.

McCarthy's quintessentially Canadian looks, featuring bright, rosy cheeks and a warm smile, made her a beloved figure among Canadians of all ages. She was often photographed in Eaton's stylish clothing and elegant jewelry, portraying a vision of refinement and sophistication.

In addition to her commercial work, McCarthy was an accomplished artist in her own right, creating hundreds of paintings throughout her long career. Her work was featured in over 150 exhibitions, and she was awarded numerous honors and accolades, including the Order of Canada.

Doris McCarthy was an icon of Canadian culture, both as a pioneering commercial actor and an accomplished artist. Her contributions to Canadian art and society are still celebrated today, over a decade after her passing in 2010.