Acting · geboren 1914-11-15 · Miami, Florida, USA

Dona Drake

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.

Bekannt aus

• Der vierte Mann (1952) – Teresa
• Der Weg nach Marokko (1942) – Mihirmah
• Superman (1952)
• Der Stachel des Bösen (1949) – Jenny
• Without Reservations (1946) – Dolores Ortega
• Louisiana Purchase (1941) – Beatrice
• Another Part of the Forest (1948) – Laurette Sincee
• Star Spangled Rhythm (1942) – Dona Drake
• Banditen am Scheideweg (1949) – Cattle Annie
• Prinzessin vom Nil (1954) – Mirva
• Hollywood Victory Caravan (1945) – Dona Drake
• Valentino - Liebling der Frauen (1951) – Maria Torres
• Strike Me Pink (1936) – Mademoiselle Fifi
• Venus am Strand (1949) – Connie Martin
• So This Is New York (1948) – Kate Goff
• Liebe unter schwarzen Segeln (1950) – Pepita
• Aloma, die Tochter der Südsee (1941) – Nea
• Let's Face It (1943) – Muriel
• Dangerous Millions (1946) – Elena Valdez
• Banditen von Korsika (1953) – Zelda
• Hot Rhythm (1944) – Mary Adams
• Rita Rio and Her Orchestra (1939) – Rita Rio
• I Look at You (1941) – Herself
• City Detective (1953)
• Down Laredo Way (1953) – Narita
• Son of Belle Starr (1953) – Dolores
• Salute for Three (1943)
• Sweet Shoe (1938) – Rita Rio
• Feed the Kitty (1941) – Self / Singer (as Rita Rio)
• Sticks and Stones (1943)