Dona Drake
Acting
1914-11-15 · 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 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(31)
moviePrincess of the Nile
as Mirva · 1954 · 7.3
tvCity Detective
as · 1953 · 7.5
movieDown Laredo Way
as Narita · 1953 · 7.0
movieSon of Belle Starr
as Dolores · 1953 · 7.0
movieThe Bandits of Corsica
as Zelda · 1953 · 6.4
movieKansas City Confidential
as Teresa · 1952 · 7.1
tvAdventures of Superman
as · 1952 · 6.6
movieValentino
as Maria Torres · 1951 · 4.3
movieFortunes of Captain Blood
as Pepita · 1950 · 7.3
movieBeyond the Forest
as Jenny · 1949 · 6.7
movieThe Girl from Jones Beach
as Connie Martin · 1949 · 5.5
movieThe Doolins of Oklahoma
as Cattle Annie · 1949 · 6.8
movieSo This Is New York
as Kate Goff · 1948 · 6.7
movieAnother Part of the Forest
as Laurette Sincee · 1948 · 7.8
movieDangerous Millions
as Elena Valdez · 1946 · 5.4
movieWithout Reservations
as Dolores Ortega · 1946 · 6.2
movieHollywood Victory Caravan
as Dona Drake · 1945 · 5.6
movieHot Rhythm
as Mary Adams · 1944 · 5.5
movieLet's Face It
as Muriel · 1943 · 5.4
movieSalute for Three
as · 1943 · 9.0
movieSticks and Stones
as · 1943 · 0.0
movieRoad to Morocco
as Mihirmah · 1942 · 6.9
movieStar Spangled Rhythm
as Dona Drake · 1942 · 6.2
movieLouisiana Purchase
as Beatrice · 1941 · 6.7