- publicWebsite:
Visit - group Other Names:
Eunice Westmoreland, Una Novella, Rita Novella, Rita Rio
description About
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.
Info
- wc Gender: Female
- calendar_month Birth Date: 1914-11-15
- event Death Date 1989-06-20
- school Known for: Acting
- star Popularity: 0.5
- info Birth Place Miami, Florida, USA
- visibility Views: 3 views
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star User Ratings:
image Images
smart_display Movies and TV shows by Dona Drake
7.1
Kansas City Confidential
1952-11-11
7.1
Fortunes of Captain Blood
1950-05-19
6.8
Beyond the Forest
1949-10-21
0
Sweet Shoe
1938-01-04
6.7
Louisiana Purchase
1941-12-31
6
So This Is New York
1948-06-01
5.9
Star Spangled Rhythm
1942-03-05
5.8
The Bandits of Corsica
1953-02-27
5.4
The Girl from Jones Beach
1949-07-16
6.8
The Doolins of Oklahoma
1949-05-27
7.1
Princess of the Nile
1954-07-01
6.3
Aloma of the South Seas
1941-08-27
0
Feed the Kitty
1941-01-01
0
Pan-Americonga
1941-02-16
0
Down Laredo Way
1953-08-05
4.3
Valentino
1951-03-08
4.7
Hot Rhythm
1944-04-22
6.6
Strike Me Pink
1936-01-24
6.2
Without Reservations
1946-05-13
4.5
Let's Face It
1943-08-04
7.5
I Look at You
1941-02-20
5.2
Hollywood Victory Caravan
1945-09-30
0
Son of Belle Starr
1953-06-26
4
Rita Rio and Her Orchestra
1939-07-01
0
Sticks and Stones
1943-01-25
6.9
Road to Morocco
1942-11-10
7.6
Another Part of the Forest
1948-05-18
4.8
Dangerous Millions
1946-11-27
0
Salute for Three
1943-03-17
6.7
Adventures of Superman
1952-09-19
7
City Detective
1953-09-07