Dona Drake [87368] Gender: Female Popularity: 0.2374 Birthplace: Miami, Florida, USA Birthday: 1914-11-15 Deathday: 1989-06-20 Age: 74 years Movies: 29 Links: Homepage, IMDB 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. Princess of the 1954-07-01 Down Laredo Way1953-08-05 Son of Belle Sta1953-06-26 The Bandits of C1953-02-27 Kansas City Conf1952-11-11 Valentino1951-03-08 Fortunes of Capt1950-05-19 Beyond the Fores1949-10-21 The Girl from Jo1949-07-16 The Doolins of O1949-05-27 So This Is New Y1948-06-01 Another Part of 1948-05-18 Dangerous Millio1946-11-27 Without Reservat1946-05-13 Hollywood Victor1945-09-30 Hot Rhythm1944-04-22 Let's Face It1943-08-04 Salute for Three1943-03-17 Sticks and Stone1943-01-25 Road to Morocco1942-11-10 Star Spangled Rh1942-03-05 Louisiana Purcha1941-12-31 Aloma of the Sou1941-08-27 I Look at You1941-02-20 Pan-Americonga1941-02-16 Feed the Kitty1941-01-01 Rita Rio and Her1939-07-01 Sweet Shoe1938-01-04 Strike Me Pink1936-01-24