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Dona Drake

Dona Drake

Known For Acting
Birthday Nov 15, 1914
Died Jun 20, 1989 (74)
Birthplace Miami, Florida, USA
Popularity 0.3 (history)
Updated Aug 07, 2025 (Update)
Entry Date Apr 13, 2024
Links TMDb 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 c ... ast 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

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Filmography

Princess of the Nile

Princess of the Nile

1954

as Mirva

Son of Belle Starr

Son of Belle Starr

1953

as Dolores

The Bandits of Corsica

The Bandits of Corsica

1953

as Zelda

Down Laredo Way

Down Laredo Way

1953

as Narita

Kansas City Confidential

Kansas City Confidential

1952

as Teresa

Valentino

Valentino

1951

as Maria Torres

Fortunes of Captain Blood

Fortunes of Captain Blood

1950

as Pepita

The Girl from Jones Beach

The Girl from Jones Beach

1949

as Connie Martin

Beyond the Forest

Beyond the Forest

1949

as Jenny

The Doolins of Oklahoma

The Doolins of Oklahoma

1949

as Cattle Annie

So This Is New York

So This Is New York

1948

as Kate Goff

Another Part of the Forest

Another Part of the Forest

1948

as Laurette Sincee

Dangerous Millions

Dangerous Millions

1946

as Elena Valdez

Without Reservations

Without Reservations

1946

as Dolores Ortega

Hollywood Victory Caravan

Hollywood Victory Caravan

1945

as Dona Drake

Hot Rhythm

Hot Rhythm

1944

as Mary Adams

Let's Face It

Let's Face It

1943

as Muriel

Road to Morocco

Road to Morocco

1942

as Mihirmah

Star Spangled Rhythm

Star Spangled Rhythm

1942

as Dona Drake

Pan-Americonga

Pan-Americonga

1941

as Rita Rio

Louisiana Purchase

Louisiana Purchase

1941

as Beatrice

Rita Rio and Her Orchestra

Rita Rio and Her Orchestra

1939

as Rita Rio

Strike Me Pink

Strike Me Pink

1936

as Mademoiselle Fifi

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Organization Category Movie
Television Credits

No data available

Adventures of Superman

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 19, 1952

City Detective

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 07, 1953

Popularity Metrics

Popularity History


Year Month Avg Max Min
2024 6 11 19 6
2024 7 16 24 6
2024 8 11 44 3
2024 9 6 15 2
2024 10 3 8 1
2024 11 2 5 1
2024 12 4 9 2
2025 1 7 20 2
2025 2 3 6 1
2025 3 3 4 1
2025 5 1 2 1
2025 6 1 1 1
2025 7 0 0 0
2025 8 2 5 0

Trending Rank


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