Dona Drake
- Recitazione
- 15 novembre 1914 · Miami, Florida, USA
- 20 giugno 1989
Biografia
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.
Noto per
Filmografia
- La principessa del Nilo · Mirva
- City Detective
- Down Laredo Way · Narita
- Son of Belle Starr · Dolores
- The Bandits of Corsica · Zelda
- Il quarto uomo · Teresa
- Adventures of Superman
- Valentino · Maria Torres
- Le avventure di capitan Blood · Pepita
- Peccato · Jenny
- La foglia di Eva · Connie Martin
- Solo contro il mondo · Cattle Annie
- Due sorelle a New York · Kate Goff
- Un'altra parte della foresta · Laurette Sincee
- Dangerous Millions · Elena Valdez
- California Express · Dolores Ortega
- Hollywood Victory Caravan · Dona Drake
- Hot Rhythm · Mary Adams
- Let's Face It · Muriel
- Salute for Three
- Sticks and Stones
- Avventura al Marocco · Mihirmah
- Signorine, non guardate i marinai · Dona Drake
- Louisiana Purchase · Beatrice
- Aloma dei mari del sud · Nea
- I Look at You · In persona
- Feed the Kitty · Self / Singer (as Rita Rio)
- Rita Rio and Her Orchestra · Rita Rio
- Sweet Shoe · Rita Rio
- Coniglio o leone? · Mademoiselle Fifi