Dona Drake

Dona Drake born Eunice Westmoreland on November 15 1914 was an AfricanAmerican 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 Hollywoods 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 allgirl 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