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.
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Full filmography
- Adventures of Superman (1952)
- City Detective (1953)
- Valentino (1951) as Maria Torres
- Without Reservations (1946) as Dolores Ortega
- Road to Morocco (1942) as Mihirmah
- Aloma of the South Seas (1941) as Nea
- Princess of the Nile (1954) as Mirva
- Kansas City Confidential (1952) as Teresa
- Hollywood Victory Caravan (1945) as Dona Drake
- Son of Belle Starr (1953) as Dolores
- Fortunes of Captain Blood (1950) as Pepita
- Another Part of the Forest (1948) as Laurette Sincee
- Strike Me Pink (1936) as Mademoiselle Fifi
- Beyond the Forest (1949) as Jenny
- Let's Face It (1943) as Muriel
- The Doolins of Oklahoma (1949) as Cattle Annie
- So This Is New York (1948) as Kate Goff
- Louisiana Purchase (1941) as Beatrice
- Star Spangled Rhythm (1942) as Dona Drake
- Down Laredo Way (1953) as Narita
- I Look at You (1941) as Herself
- The Bandits of Corsica (1953) as Zelda
- Hot Rhythm (1944) as Mary Adams
- The Girl from Jones Beach (1949) as Connie Martin