Born in Spanish Harlem to Spanish/French mother and Irish father.
Her father was a doctor and her mother was a nightclub singer. They divorced when she was 3 months old.
First commercial role was at age six, for Keds Tennis sneakers
Training includes: the Meglin School in New York (ballet and jazz) and Dominica American Theatre of Performing Arts (acting).
Stopped her training at age 11 to become a "normal student".
Went to live with her aunt and uncle in the Dominican Republic at the age of 12.
A good student in high school, she skipped a few grades, graduating at the Collegio Santo Domingo at the age of 14.
Moved to Los Angeles, California at the age of 15.
Unable to work at such a young age, she convinced many employers that she was 18 and married.
First jobs included being a computer operator for an ambulance service, and as a secretary for a large corporation in Culver City. This added up to 16 hours a day for 5 days a week.
Began acting again at age 17. Her first role was the part of Meredith in the 1978 Universal Pictures film, Almost Summer, which also starred Tim Matheson and Didi Conn.
Earned a SAG card in 1978 for her part in Almost Summer
Her hobbies include: snow skiing, skating, soccer, horseback jumping, motorcycling, and other sports.
At the peak of her career, Donna was 5'2" tall and about 100 pounds.
Donna appeared in the first season of the NBC TV series Hello, Larry as McLean Stevenson's oldest daughter, Diane. She was replaced by Krista Erickson for the second season as she is rumored to have had drug/alcohol problems. According to one source, Donna would show up to the set late or not at all and cost Norman Lear "too much money".
Was at one time married to Billy Gray of Father Knows Best. Gray was 21 years older at the time. According to one source, they married in Las Vegas when Donna was 18-19 years old. The marriage didn't last long.
Spent time in halfway houses and rehabilitation centers in LA to prepare for her role in the 1984 film, Angel. "I actually walked on the streets with these girls and talked with them... and I also talked to the people with the group called Children of the Night, and to the Hollywood Police Department, too."
Her role on the soap opera Days of Our Lives was supposed to last longer, but the producers cut it short when she became involved in the production of Angel.
About her love life, July 1984: "I think I'm the most celibate person I know." "I mostly just work. So because I have so little time to date I don't have a boyfriend or anything like that." "I'm very busy so I really don't look for that. I will know in my heart if I find someone like that, hopefully!"
Note: Do to requests, information on Donna's current life is being withheld and not open to the public.
If you would like to submit something to this page, please contact Christine through the Contact Administrator link. Thanks!!
