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Dona Drake

Dona Drake

Known for ActingBorn 1914-11-15Died 1989-06-20Miami, Florida, USA
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.Read more

Movies & web series

Salute for Three9.0
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Salute for Three

1943 · Movie

I Look at You8.3
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I Look at You

1941 · Movie

Another Part of the Forest7.8
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Another Part of the Forest

1948 · Movie

City Detective7.5
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City Detective

1953 · Series

Princess of the Nile7.3
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Princess of the Nile

1954 · Movie

Fortunes of Captain Blood7.3
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Fortunes of Captain Blood

1950 · Movie

Kansas City Confidential7.1
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Kansas City Confidential

1952 · Movie

Down Laredo Way7.0
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Down Laredo Way

1953 · Movie

Son of Belle Starr7.0
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Son of Belle Starr

1953 · Movie

Aloma of the South Seas7.0
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Aloma of the South Seas

1941 · Movie

Road to Morocco6.9
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Road to Morocco

1942 · Movie

The Doolins of Oklahoma6.8
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The Doolins of Oklahoma

1949 · Movie

Beyond the Forest6.7
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Beyond the Forest

1949 · Movie

So This Is New York6.7
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So This Is New York

1948 · Movie

Adventures of Superman6.6
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Adventures of Superman

1952 · Series

Louisiana Purchase6.7
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Louisiana Purchase

1941 · Movie

Strike Me Pink6.6
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Strike Me Pink

1936 · Movie

The Bandits of Corsica6.4
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The Bandits of Corsica

1953 · Movie

Without Reservations6.2
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Without Reservations

1946 · Movie

Star Spangled Rhythm6.2
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Star Spangled Rhythm

1942 · Movie

Hollywood Victory Caravan5.6
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Hollywood Victory Caravan

1945 · Movie

The Girl from Jones Beach5.5
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The Girl from Jones Beach

1949 · Movie

Hot Rhythm5.5
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Hot Rhythm

1944 · Movie

Dangerous Millions5.4
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Dangerous Millions

1946 · Movie

Let's Face It5.4
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Let's Face It

1943 · Movie

Valentino4.3
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Valentino

1951 · Movie

Rita Rio and Her Orchestra4.0
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Rita Rio and Her Orchestra

1939 · Movie

Sticks and Stones
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Sticks and Stones

1943 · Movie

Feed the Kitty
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Feed the Kitty

1941 · Movie

Pan-Americonga
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Pan-Americonga

1941 · Movie

Sweet Shoe
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Sweet Shoe

1938 · Movie