Eunice Westmorland, born in Miami in 1914, became the star Donna Drake by hiding her African-American roots and passing as Latina. Starting her career as a nightclub entertainer, she caught the eye of producer Earl Carroll, leading to her Hollywood breakthrough in films like “Road to Morocco.”
Hollywood molded her into an exotic persona, crafting a false Mexican background. Despite her talent, she was often cast in stereotypical roles, portraying various ethnicities. Her romantic life was equally dramatic, involving a dangerous liaison with mobster Lewis Amberg and a tumultuous marriage to costume designer Billy Travilla.
Donna’s career waned in the 1950s as Hollywood’s interest in her faded. Health issues and the constant pressure of maintaining her fabricated identity took a toll, leading to her retreat from the public eye and relinquishing custody of her daughter, Nia.
Despite the glamour, Donna Drake’s life was marked by the struggle to fit into Hollywood’s narrow mold, showcasing her perseverance in a challenging era.