Personal Info
Known For
Acting
Birthdate
1914-11-15
Day of Death
1989-06-20
Place of Birth
Miami, Florida, USA
Dona Drake
Biography
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 (29)
Princess of the Nile
1954
Down Laredo Way
1953
Son of Belle Starr
1953
The Bandits of Corsica
1953
Kansas City Confidential
1952
Valentino
1951
Fortunes of Captain Blood
1950
Beyond the Forest
1949
The Girl from Jones Beach
1949
The Doolins of Oklahoma
1949
So This Is New York
1948
Another Part of the Forest
1948
Dangerous Millions
1946
Without Reservations
1946
