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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.

Known For

7.1

Mirva

Princess of the Nile

1954

7.0

City Detective

1953

0.0

Narita

Down Laredo Way

1953

0.0

Dolores

Son of Belle Starr

1953

5.8

Zelda

The Bandits of Corsica

1953

7.1

Teresa

Kansas City Confidential

1952

6.7

Adventures of Superman

1952

4.3

Maria Torres

Valentino

1951

7.1

Pepita

Fortunes of Captain Blood

1950

6.8

Jenny

Beyond the Forest

1949

Credits

Princess of the Nile

as Mirva

1954

7.1

City Detective

1953

7.0

Down Laredo Way

as Narita

1953

0.0

Son of Belle Starr

as Dolores

1953

0.0

The Bandits of Corsica

as Zelda

1953

5.8

Kansas City Confidential

as Teresa

1952

7.1

Adventures of Superman

1952

6.7

Valentino

as Maria Torres

1951

4.3

Fortunes of Captain Blood

as Pepita

1950

7.1

Beyond the Forest

as Jenny

1949

6.8

The Girl from Jones Beach

as Connie Martin

1949

5.4

The Doolins of Oklahoma

as Cattle Annie

1949

6.8

So This Is New York

as Kate Goff

1948

6.0

Another Part of the Forest

as Laurette Sincee

1948

7.6

Dangerous Millions

as Elena Valdez

1946

4.8

Without Reservations

as Dolores Ortega

1946

6.2

Hollywood Victory Caravan

as Dona Drake

1945

5.2

Hot Rhythm

as Mary Adams

1944

4.7

Let's Face It

as Muriel

1943

4.5

Salute for Three

1943

0.0

🎬

Sticks and Stones

1943

0.0

Road to Morocco

as Mihirmah

1942

6.9

Star Spangled Rhythm

as Dona Drake

1942

5.9

Louisiana Purchase

as Beatrice

1941

6.6

Aloma of the South Seas

as Nea

1941

6.3

I Look at You

as Herself

1941

7.5

Pan-Americonga

as Rita Rio

1941

0.0

🎬

Feed the Kitty

as Self / Singer (as Rita Rio)

1941

0.0

Rita Rio and Her Orchestra

as Rita Rio

1939

4.0

🎬

Sweet Shoe

as Rita Rio

1938

0.0

Strike Me Pink

as Mademoiselle Fifi

1936

6.6