I noticed Dona Drake's name in the credits of an episode of , "The Adventures of Superman". She played as the owner of Corky, "the Dog Who Knew Superman". She did such a great job I just had to research her name. Her noticeable tan showed through even in black and white. If her family history is accurate--it shows.
Dona Drake was an American singer, dancer and film actress in the 1930s and 1940s. Although she was African American by ancestry, she presented herself as Mexican and went by the names Una Novella
Drake was born Eunice Westmoreland in Miami, Florida,(Another source says she was born in Jacksonville, Florida.) in 1914, one of five children of Joseph Andrew Westmoreland of Arkansas and his wife, Novella Smith of Alabama. U.S. Census reports on her family history show her grandparents were one black couple and one couple that was black/white
The Census is NOT a DNA test and often reports false "racial" classifications for political reasons, especially in the Jim Crow South. Dona Drake was obviously a brunet Caucasian. Some racially mixed ancestry does NOT negate her whiteness.
Yes. She was a person of African and European heritage. I would guess that it's likely that both of her parents had European ancestry alongside African. What a beautiful, classy lady! I'm of mixed African-American/European heritage myself and I always *adore* learning about film history like this as both a film buff and a woman of mixed heritage. Gotta write something on the lovely Dona Drake for my film blog!!
That’s correct. She passed as a Mexican actress not a white one. Yet, she is Black with white ancestry. She kind of reminds me of Vanessa Williams. She appears lighter in some of these black n white photos but if you google her you can see she is has a deeper hue. Beautiful woman nonetheless. I’m sure she passed for better opportunities. I wonder did her husband know.
@@DeVron83! I agree with your comment. Gosh, I cannot see where they labeled her as a Mexican Actress. It's a no for me. Indeed Vanessa Williams or Freddi Washington. Someday, folks will learn that you cannot put ethnicity or DNA in clear cut boxes. We are who we are, Human. That's it. With all of our differences, beauty and splendor. Perhaps the husband knew. Maybe not. Good question. Great that they got married and had a lovely daughter.
Beautiful,sexy,and multi-talented. Another case in show biz, where people with out those attributes make it,and people like Dona don't achieve stardom.
I had the biggest crush on her as a kid in the 1940's. Still like her even though I am close to 90.
I’ve read that Bob Hope knew her true ethnicity and still cast her in several films including Road to Morocco. That makes me respect him even more.
An African American actress who passed for white. A great documentary could be made about her life.
Definitely or another biopic like Halle Berry did for Dorothy Dandridge
A beautifu, elegant,l and talented actress and dancer. Dona Drake was in a class of her own. RIP.
I noticed Dona Drake's name in the credits of an episode of , "The Adventures of Superman". She played as the owner of Corky, "the Dog Who Knew Superman". She did such a great job I just had to research her name. Her noticeable tan showed through even in black and white. If her family history is accurate--it shows.
What a wonderful dancer and beautiful lady.
My biggest question is.... Who hit the thumbs down button ?? Please make an appointment with your local optometrist asap!
Thank you, I also like the music.
Dona Drake was an American singer, dancer and film actress in the 1930s and 1940s. Although she was African American by ancestry, she presented herself as Mexican and went by the names Una Novella
Nothing like the old days.
Drake was born Eunice Westmoreland in Miami, Florida,(Another source says she was born in Jacksonville, Florida.) in 1914, one of five children of Joseph Andrew Westmoreland of Arkansas and his wife, Novella Smith of Alabama. U.S. Census reports on her family history show her grandparents were one black couple and one couple that was black/white
The Census is NOT a DNA test and often reports false "racial" classifications for political reasons, especially in the Jim Crow South. Dona Drake was obviously a brunet Caucasian. Some racially mixed ancestry does NOT negate her whiteness.
Yes. She was a person of African and European heritage. I would guess that it's likely that both of her parents had European ancestry alongside African. What a beautiful, classy lady! I'm of mixed African-American/European heritage myself and I always *adore* learning about film history like this as both a film buff and a woman of mixed heritage. Gotta write something on the lovely Dona Drake for my film blog!!
That’s correct. She passed as a Mexican actress not a white one. Yet, she is Black with white ancestry. She kind of reminds me of Vanessa Williams. She appears lighter in some of these black n white photos but if you google her you can see she is has a deeper hue. Beautiful woman nonetheless. I’m sure she passed for better opportunities. I wonder did her husband know.
@@DeVron83! I agree with your comment. Gosh, I cannot see where they labeled her as a Mexican Actress. It's a no for me. Indeed Vanessa Williams or Freddi Washington. Someday, folks will learn that you cannot put ethnicity or DNA in clear cut boxes. We are who we are, Human. That's it. With all of our differences, beauty and splendor. Perhaps the husband knew. Maybe not. Good question. Great that they got married and had a lovely daughter.
Just fine.
Beautiful,sexy,and multi-talented. Another case in show biz, where people with out those attributes make it,and people like Dona don't achieve stardom.
WOW! just seen her in K.C. CONF. hubahuba what a Babe!!!
Did not known she was half black but only play latino and indian in movies.
They found out later that she was black lol
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