Dona Drake

Person

Dona Drake

Acting November 15, 1914

Miami, Florida, USA

Dona Drake (born Eunice Westmoreland on November 15, 1914) was an African-American singer, dancer, and film actress active in the 1930s and 1940s. Despite her heritage, she often…

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Known for

Popular titles

Adventures of Superman

Adventures of Superman

6.7 1952 TV Show
Kansas City Confidential

Kansas City Confidential

7.0 1952 Movie
City Detective

City Detective

7.5 1953 TV Show
Road to Morocco

Road to Morocco

6.9 1942 Movie
Beyond the Forest

Beyond the Forest

6.7 1949 Movie
Without Reservations

Without Reservations

6.3 1946 Movie
Princess of the Nile

Princess of the Nile

7.3 1954 Movie
Another Part of the Forest

Another Part of the Forest

7.8 1948 Movie
The Doolins of Oklahoma

The Doolins of Oklahoma

6.8 1949 Movie
Valentino

Valentino

4.3 1951 Movie
Hollywood Victory Caravan

Hollywood Victory Caravan

5.6 1945 Movie
Star Spangled Rhythm

Star Spangled Rhythm

6.2 1942 Movie

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Biography

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Dona Drake (born Eunice Westmoreland on November 15, 1914) was an African-American singer, dancer, and film actress active in the 1930s and 1940s. Despite her heritage, she often identified as Mexican or of Latin descent to navigate Hollywood’s racial landscape. Over her career, she was frequently cast in ethnic roles, portraying Hispanic, Middle Eastern, and European characters. She performed under various stage names, including Una Novella, Rita Novella, and Rita Rio. In the early 1940s, she led an all-girl orchestra and gained recognition for her musical and dance performances. She appeared in films such as Kansas City Confidential (1952), Louisiana Purchase (1941), and Road to Morocco (1942). Despite her talents, she remained a supporting actress rather than a leading star. Dona Drake passed away on June 20, 1989, due to pneumonia and respiratory failure. Her ashes were scattered at sea near Point Fermin in California.

Filmography

Movies and shows, newest first

  1. 1954
    Princess of the Nile

    Movie Mirva

  2. 1953
    City Detective

    TV show

  3. 1953
    Down Laredo Way

    Movie Narita

  4. 1953
    Son of Belle Starr

    Movie Dolores

  5. 1953
    The Bandits of Corsica

    Movie Zelda

  6. 1952
    Kansas City Confidential

    Movie Teresa

  7. 1952
    Adventures of Superman

    TV show

  8. 1951
    Valentino

    Movie Maria Torres

  9. 1950
    Fortunes of Captain Blood

    Movie Pepita

  10. 1949
    Beyond the Forest

    Movie Jenny

  11. 1949
    The Girl from Jones Beach

    Movie Connie Martin

  12. 1949
    The Doolins of Oklahoma

    Movie Cattle Annie

  13. 1948
    So This Is New York

    Movie Kate Goff

  14. 1948
    Another Part of the Forest

    Movie Laurette Sincee

  15. 1946
    Dangerous Millions

    Movie Elena Valdez

  16. 1946
    Without Reservations

    Movie Dolores Ortega

More credits
  1. 1945
    Hollywood Victory Caravan

    Movie Dona Drake

  2. 1944
    Hot Rhythm

    Movie Mary Adams

  3. 1943
    Let's Face It

    Movie Muriel

  4. 1943
    Salute for Three

    Movie

  5. 1943
    Sticks and Stones

    Movie

  6. 1942
    Road to Morocco

    Movie Mihirmah

  7. 1942
    Star Spangled Rhythm

    Movie Dona Drake

  8. 1941
    Louisiana Purchase

    Movie Beatrice

  9. 1941
    Aloma of the South Seas

    Movie Nea

  10. 1941
    I Look at You

    Movie Herself

  11. 1941
    Feed the Kitty

    Movie Self / Singer (as Rita Rio)

  12. 1939
    Rita Rio and Her Orchestra

    Movie Rita Rio

  13. 1938
    Sweet Shoe

    Movie Rita Rio

  14. 1936
    Strike Me Pink

    Movie Mademoiselle Fifi