Dona Drake

Personal Info

Birthday

November 15, 1914

Day of Death

1989-06-20

(74 years old)

Place of Birth

Miami, Florida, USA

Also Known As

Eunice Westmoreland

Una Novella

Rita Novella

Rita Rio

Dona Drake

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.

Known For

Kansas City Confidential

Strike Me Pink

Beyond the Forest

Road to Morocco

Without Reservations

Valentino

Star Spangled Rhythm

Princess of the Nile

Filmography

1954
Princess of the Nile
as Mirva
1953
Down Laredo Way
as Narita
Son of Belle Starr
as Dolores
The Bandits of Corsica
as Zelda
1952
Kansas City Confidential
as Teresa
1951
Valentino
as Maria Torres
1950
Fortunes of Captain Blood
as Pepita
1949
Beyond the Forest
as Jenny
The Girl from Jones Beach
as Connie Martin
The Doolins of Oklahoma
as Cattle Annie
1948
So This Is New York
as Kate Goff
Another Part of the Forest
as Laurette Sincee
1946
Dangerous Millions
as Elena Valdez
Without Reservations
as Dolores Ortega
1945
Hollywood Victory Caravan
as Dona Drake
1944
Hot Rhythm
as Mary Adams
1943
Let's Face It
as Muriel
1942
Road to Morocco
as Mihirmah
Star Spangled Rhythm
as Dona Drake
1941
Louisiana Purchase
as Beatrice
Aloma of the South Seas
as Nea
I Look at You
as Herself
Pan-Americonga
as Rita Rio
Feed the Kitty
as Self / Singer (as Rita Rio)
1939
Rita Rio and Her Orchestra
as Rita Rio
1938
Sweet Shoe
as Rita Rio
1936
Strike Me Pink
as Mademoiselle Fifi