
Known for
Acting
Born
November 15, 1914
Birthplace
Miami, Florida, USA
Died
June 20, 1989 (aged 74)
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 (...
1954
as Mirva
1953
1953
as Narita
1953
as Dolores
1953
as Zelda
1952
as Teresa
1952
1951
as Maria Torres
1950
as Pepita
1949
as Jenny
1949
as Connie Martin
1949
as Cattle Annie
1948
as Kate Goff
1948
as Laurette Sincee
1946
as Elena Valdez
1946
as Dolores Ortega
1945
as Dona Drake
1944
as Mary Adams
1943
as Muriel
1943
1943
1942
as Mihirmah
1942
as Dona Drake
1941
as Beatrice
1941
as Nea