[1] She became a child actor, performing in Paris on stage and in silent films for a few years, having signed with theatrical agent André Charlot.

[9][10] Bordoni introduced George Gershwin's hit song "Do It Again" with vivacity and verve in the 1922 Broadway show The French Doll at the Lyceum.

"[12] Noted for her seductive brown eyes and coquettish personality, Irène Bordoni is probably best remembered from musical theatre as the star of the 1928 Cole Porter musical Paris that featured the song "Let's Do It (Let's Fall in Love)" which became Porter's first big success.

Bordoni recorded and sang many times live and on radio Cole Porter's song "Let's Misbehave" with Irving Aaronson and His Commanders dance band.

[citation needed] Throughout her Broadway career, Bordoni was renowned for wearing only the most stylish of clothes, including costumes by Erté.

[14] Bordoni wore her hair with trademark bangs, which she helped to popularize; indeed her 'look' was successfully emulated not only by her admirers but also by late 1920s budding Broadway starlet Claudette Colbert.

[16] Bordoni pleased audiences on both sides of the Atlantic, as with Irving Berlin's It's a Lovely Day Tomorrow in London's West End in 1939.

[citation needed] Her status as a major star of the American stage was such that in his song "You're The Top", Cole Porter included the reference "You’re the eyes of Irene Bordoni".

She had another success in the role of "Bloody Mary" in the 1951 national tour of the musical South Pacific.