Dona Drake

Dona Drake

11/15/1914 – 6/20/1989Miami, 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 titles)

Princess of the Nile7.3Movie

Princess of the Nile

Mirva · 1954

City Detective7.5Show

City Detective

1953

Down Laredo Way7.0Movie

Down Laredo Way

Narita · 1953

Son of Belle Starr7.0Movie

Son of Belle Starr

Dolores · 1953

The Bandits of Corsica6.4Movie

The Bandits of Corsica

Zelda · 1953

Kansas City Confidential7.1Movie

Kansas City Confidential

Teresa · 1952

Adventures of Superman6.7Show

Adventures of Superman

1952

Valentino4.3Movie

Valentino

Maria Torres · 1951

Fortunes of Captain Blood7.3Movie

Fortunes of Captain Blood

Pepita · 1950

Beyond the Forest6.7Movie

Beyond the Forest

Jenny · 1949

The Girl from Jones Beach5.5Movie

The Girl from Jones Beach

Connie Martin · 1949

The Doolins of Oklahoma6.8Movie

The Doolins of Oklahoma

Cattle Annie · 1949

So This Is New York6.7Movie

So This Is New York

Kate Goff · 1948

Another Part of the Forest7.8Movie

Another Part of the Forest

Laurette Sincee · 1948

Dangerous Millions5.4Movie

Dangerous Millions

Elena Valdez · 1946

Without Reservations6.2Movie

Without Reservations

Dolores Ortega · 1946

Hollywood Victory Caravan5.6Movie

Hollywood Victory Caravan

Dona Drake · 1945

Hot Rhythm5.5Movie

Hot Rhythm

Mary Adams · 1944

Let's Face It5.4Movie

Let's Face It

Muriel · 1943

Salute for Three9.0Movie

Salute for Three

1943

Movie

Sticks and Stones

1943

Road to Morocco6.9Movie

Road to Morocco

Mihirmah · 1942

Star Spangled Rhythm6.2Movie

Star Spangled Rhythm

Dona Drake · 1942

Louisiana Purchase6.7Movie

Louisiana Purchase

Beatrice · 1941

Aloma of the South Seas7.0Movie

Aloma of the South Seas

Nea · 1941

I Look at You8.3Movie

I Look at You

Herself · 1941

Pan-AmericongaMovie

Pan-Americonga

Rita Rio · 1941

Movie

Feed the Kitty

Self / Singer (as Rita Rio) · 1941

Rita Rio and Her Orchestra4.8Movie

Rita Rio and Her Orchestra

Rita Rio · 1939

Movie

Sweet Shoe

Rita Rio · 1938