Acting credits
28
Active
Consistent number of acting credits.
Actor
Dona Drake
Acting
Career Snapshot
ExplainedThese indicators come from TMDB. They are relative signals, not review ratings.
TMDB popularity
2.0
Low visibility
TMDB internal trend index. Higher usually means more searches and page activity now.
Movies: 26Series: 2
TMDB ID: 87368
IMDb ID: nm0236888
Known for: Acting
Born: November 15, 1914
Died: June 20, 1989
Age: 74
Place of birth: Miami, Florida, USA
Gender: Female
Adult content flag: No
Career span: 1936 - 1954
Years active: 19
Average TMDB rating: 6.82
Wikidata: Q3035962
Also known as
Eunice Westmoreland • Una Novella • Rita Novella • Rita Rio
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.
Photos
Movies
Movies
Movie credits linked with Dona Drake.
7.1
Princess of the Nile
as Mirva
1954 Movie
Down Laredo Way
as Narita
1953 Movie
Son of Belle Starr
as Dolores
1953 Movie
5.8
The Bandits of Corsica
as Zelda
1953 Movie
7.1
Kansas City Confidential
as Teresa
1952 Movie
3.9
Valentino
as Maria Torres
1951 Movie
7.1
Fortunes of Captain Blood
as Pepita
1950 Movie
6.7
Beyond the Forest
as Jenny
1949 Movie
4.8
The Girl from Jones Beach
as Connie Martin
1949 Movie
6.8
The Doolins of Oklahoma
as Cattle Annie
1949 Movie
6.0
So This Is New York
as Kate Goff
1948 Movie
7.6
Another Part of the Forest
as Laurette Sincee
1948 Movie
4.8
Dangerous Millions
as Elena Valdez
1946 Movie
6.2
Without Reservations
as Dolores Ortega
1946 Movie
5.2
Hollywood Victory Caravan
as Dona Drake
1945 Movie
4.7
Hot Rhythm
as Mary Adams
1944 Movie
4.5
Let's Face It
as Muriel
1943 Movie
Salute for Three
1943 Movie
6.9
Road to Morocco
as Mihirmah
1942 Movie
6.0
Star Spangled Rhythm
as Dona Drake
1942 Movie
6.6
Louisiana Purchase
as Beatrice
1941 Movie
6.2
Aloma of the South Seas
as Nea
1941 Movie
7.5
I Look at You
as Herself
1941 Movie
Pan-Americonga
as Rita Rio
1941 Movie
Series
Series
Series credits linked with Dona Drake.
