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.
Kansas City Confidential
(Teresa)
Fortunes of Captain Blood
(Pepita)
Beyond the Forest
(Jenny)
Sweet Shoe
(Rita Rio)
Louisiana Purchase
(Beatrice)
So This Is New York
(Kate Goff)
Star Spangled Rhythm
(Dona Drake)
The Bandits of Corsica
(Zelda)
The Girl from Jones Beach
(Connie Martin)
The Doolins of Oklahoma
(Cattle Annie)
Princess of the Nile
(Mirva)
Aloma of the South Seas
(Nea)
Feed the Kitty
(Self / Singer (as Rita Rio))
Pan-Americonga
(Rita Rio)
Down Laredo Way
(Narita)
Valentino
(Maria Torres)
Hot Rhythm
(Mary Adams)
Strike Me Pink
(Mademoiselle Fifi)
Without Reservations
(Dolores Ortega)
Let's Face It
(Muriel)
I Look at You
(Herself)
Hollywood Victory Caravan
(Dona Drake)
Son of Belle Starr
(Dolores)
Rita Rio and Her Orchestra
(Rita Rio)
Sticks and Stones
Road to Morocco
(Mihirmah)
Another Part of the Forest
(Laurette Sincee)
Dangerous Millions
(Elena Valdez)
Salute for Three
Adventures of Superman
City Detective