AKA: Alfredo Capurro
Nationality: American
Birthdate: 10/07/1914
Birthplace: Bronx, New York, USA
Death Date: 07/25/1992
Actor and baritone who played leading roles in landmark Broadway shows including "Oklahoma!" and "Kiss Me Kate". Drake's good-humored performance as Hajj, a street poet made Emir of Bagdad for a day, in the hit musical "Kismet" won him a well-deserved Tony in 1954. A commanding presence, Drake also performed well in straight drama, including several Shakesperean roles. He made regular TV appearances in the 1950s, sometimes in broadcast versions of his stage successes; the most notable of his few film roles was Claudius opposite Richard Burton's "Hamlet" (1964).
Born in the Bronx but raised in Brooklyn
1935
Made stage debut in the chorus of a production of "The Mikado"
1936
Was understudy and chorus performer in "White Horse Inn"
1937
Appeared on Broadway in "Babes in Arms"
1943
Achieved stardom on Broadway as Curly in "Oklahoma!"
