Biography

Donny West

Actor / Entertainer / Author / Singer

Female Impersonator

The Kid of a burlesque performer known as “Miss Betina”. Donny began his career very early in life as an entertainer in world famous venues such as Club Cabaret and The Gay Nineties in Minneapolis, where he entertained thousands of people with his stunning impressions of Diana Ross. Many would comment on his resemblance to the Superstar.

Over the years Donny has gained recognition as a Female Impersonator / Entertainer with awards such as Miss Gay Minneapolis, Empress of Zoogies, Queen of Hearts and Celebrity Look a Like (as Diana Ross) to name a few. Upon Winning the Empress of Zoogies Contest in the eighties where he first met and was crowned by the outrageous drag queen known as “Divine”, Donny went on to become a live vocalist in local talent competitions to include the Minnesota State Fair. It was then that he mixed his live vocals with his female impersonations to become a live performer known as Lady Patra.

Like most performers Donny had the majority of his live vocal experience in the church where he sang solo for the choir for several Sunday Morning Worship Services.

Currently Donny is still going strong with two literary works released in 2000 “Dear Lover” (a Poem) and “This Is Lady Patra North, Secret Of My Song” (a short Bio). His acting career has also gotten kicked off with a Movie in 2003 called “Justice” as a Featured Extra which also stars his brother Kevin D. West. The pilot of the t.v. show “Josh and Sandi features Donny as Miss Ross and he has been called back to appear in several episodes in the shows 2nd season. Another movie filmed in the summer of 2003 called  “Souvenirs” features Donny as a Confused Drag Queen!

Two interviews with two major Television Networks with his Diana Ross Impersonations, a celebrity interview with Female Impersonator David de Alba at www.David-de-Alba.com ; a radio interview on StoneWall Society’s Rainbow World Radio and an appearance on the same stage with celebrities Rupaul, Taylor Dane, Miss Richfield and Boy George has kept Donny very active in his show biz career. Recently he has been awarded the StoneWall Society (www.stonewallsociety.com) “Pride In The Arts Award 2004 Film Category, for his Performance In “Josh and Sandi”! His Bio also won a StoneWall Society award “For The Record Award” Literary category in 2003!