Dona Drake was an American actress, dancer, and singer who was famous for her work in the 1930s and 1940s. Drake wowed viewers on stage and screen with her wide range of skills. She liked playing ethnic parts and went by many names, such as Una Novella and Rita Rio. Despite facing personal and legal challenges, she left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry. Dona Drake was born on November 15, 1914 in Miami, United States. Dona Drake died on June 1, 1989 at the age of 74 years in Los Angeles, California, U.S.. Discover below for comprehensive details about Dona Drake, including the biography, wiki profile, age, date of birth, family background, relationship status, interesting facts, photographs, lesser-known facts, and more.
Dona Drake Profile:
| Stage Name | Dona Drake |
| Real Name | Dona Drake |
| Profession(s) | Actress, Dancer, Singer, |
| Birthday | November 15, 1914 |
| Zodiac Sign | Scorpio |
| Death | Died on June 1, 1989 (35 years ago) (Age: 74 years) in Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Gender | Female |
| Birthplace | Miami, United States |
| Hometown | Miami, Florida, United States |
| Nationality | American |
Dona Drake Family and Personal Life
- Dona Drake‘ father’s name is Not Available and Dona Drake‘ mother’s name is Not Available.
- Personal Life: In 1944, Drake married William Travilla, a distinguished fashion designer who won both Oscar and Emmy awards. They had a daughter named Nia Novella Travilla. Despite Drake’s involvement in showbiz, her marriage to Travilla remained strong until her passing.
Dona Drake Trivia and Facts
- Dona Drake was born in Miami, United States.
- Dona Drake’s birth sign is Scorpio.
- Birth and Career Beginnings: Dona Drake was an American singer, dancer, and actor who was born Eunice Westmoreland on November 15, 1914, in Miami, Florida. She worked in the 1930s and 1940s. In the 1930s, she started working in show business under the names Una Velon, Rita Rio, and Rita Shaw.
- Ethnic Roles and Alias: Drake often found herself cast in ethnic roles, including Latin American and Middle Eastern characters. She portrayed herself as Mexican and adopted aliases like Una Novella and Rita Novella.
- Musical Pursuits: In the early 1940s, she led an all-girl group called “Dona Drake and her Girl Band” under the stage name Rita Rio. She went on a lot of tours with her musical and dance shows.
- Early Career Highlights: She began her work as Una Villon in 1932 and became famous for her skills as a chorus girl and theater singer. Publications praised her work in Earl Carroll’s Vanities in 1933, comparing her to the famous dancer Ann Pennington.
- Transition to Hollywood: Drake made her way to Hollywood in 1940 after facing financial struggles with her orchestra. She underwent screen tests under the name Rita Shaw, marking her entry into the film industry.
- Legal Troubles: Drake faced scrutiny from the FBI in 1936 regarding her association with her then-boyfriend, Louis Amberg, a reputed mobster known as “Mr. Cohen.” She maintained her innocence and claimed ignorance about Amberg’s criminal activities.
- Final Days: Drake died on June 20, 1989, in Los Angeles, California, of pneumonia and lung failure. She was 74 years old. Ashes from her funeral were spread out at sea.
Dona Drake Official Sites
