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Dona Drake
Acting
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 (…
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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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BODY OF WORK
Dona Drake's Filmography
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Princess of the Nile
as Mirva
Down Laredo Way
as Narita
Son of Belle Starr
as Dolores
The Bandits of Corsica
as Zelda
Kansas City Confidential
as Teresa
Valentino
as Maria Torres
Fortunes of Captain Blood
as Pepita
Beyond the Forest
as Jenny
The Girl from Jones Beach
as Connie Martin
The Doolins of Oklahoma
as Cattle Annie
So This Is New York
as Kate Goff
Another Part of the Forest
as Laurette Sincee
Dangerous Millions
as Elena Valdez
Without Reservations
as Dolores Ortega
Hollywood Victory Caravan
as Dona Drake
Hot Rhythm
as Mary Adams
Let's Face It
as Muriel
Salute for Three
No Poster
Sticks and Stones
Road to Morocco
as Mihirmah
Star Spangled Rhythm
as Dona Drake
Louisiana Purchase
as Beatrice
Aloma of the South Seas
as Nea
I Look at You
as Herself
No Poster
Feed the Kitty
as Self / Singer (as Rita Rio)
Rita Rio and Her Orchestra
as Rita Rio
No Poster
Sweet Shoe
as Rita Rio
Strike Me Pink
as Mademoiselle Fifi