Dona Drake
Acting Born Nov 15, 1914 Died Jun 20, 1989 Miami, Florida, USA 31 credits
Biography
Dona Drake was an African-American singer, dancer, and film actress. Born Eunice Westmoreland on November 15, 1914, she was active in the entertainment industry in the 1930s and 1940s. She often identified as Mexican or of Latin descent to navigate the racial landscape of Hollywood. Drake frequently portrayed characters of Hispanic, Middle Eastern, and European descent in her roles. She performed under various stage names, including Una Novella, Rita Novella, and Rita Rio. She also led an all-girl orchestra in the early 1940s and gained recognition for her musical and dance performances.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Princess of the Nile
City DetectiveThe Bandits of CorsicaDown Laredo WaySon of Belle Starr
Adventures of SupermanKansas City Confidential
Valentino
Fortunes of Captain Blood
The Doolins of OklahomaThe Girl from Jones BeachBeyond the Forest
Another Part of the ForestSo This Is New York
Without ReservationsDangerous Millions
Hollywood Victory Caravan
Hot Rhythm
Sticks and StonesLet's Face ItSalute for Three
Star Spangled RhythmRoad to Morocco
Feed the KittyAloma of the South SeasI Look at YouPan-AmericongaLouisiana Purchase
Rita Rio and Her Orchestra
Sweet Shoe
Strike Me Pink
Full filmography
- Princess of the Nile (1954) as Mirva
- City Detective (1953)
- The Bandits of Corsica (1953) as Zelda
- Down Laredo Way (1953) as Narita
- Son of Belle Starr (1953) as Dolores
- Adventures of Superman (1952)
- Kansas City Confidential (1952) as Teresa
- Valentino (1951) as Maria Torres
- Fortunes of Captain Blood (1950) as Pepita
- The Doolins of Oklahoma (1949) as Cattle Annie
- The Girl from Jones Beach (1949) as Connie Martin
- Beyond the Forest (1949) as Jenny
- Another Part of the Forest (1948) as Laurette Sincee
- So This Is New York (1948) as Kate Goff
- Without Reservations (1946) as Dolores Ortega
- Dangerous Millions (1946) as Elena Valdez
- Hollywood Victory Caravan (1945) as Dona Drake
- Hot Rhythm (1944) as Mary Adams
- Sticks and Stones (1943)
- Let's Face It (1943) as Muriel
- Salute for Three (1943)
- Star Spangled Rhythm (1942) as Dona Drake
- Road to Morocco (1942) as Mihirmah
- Feed the Kitty (1941) as Self / Singer (as Rita Rio)
- Aloma of the South Seas (1941) as Nea
- I Look at You (1941) as Herself
- Pan-Americonga (1941) as Rita Rio
- Louisiana Purchase (1941) as Beatrice
- Rita Rio and Her Orchestra (1939) as Rita Rio
- Sweet Shoe (1938) as Rita Rio
- Strike Me Pink (1936) as Mademoiselle Fifi