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American singer, dancer, and actor (1898–1965) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
John Dotson Lee Jr. (July 4, 1898 – December 12, 1965) was an American singer, dancer and actor known for voicing the role of Br'er Rabbit in Disney's Song of the South (1946)[1] and as the clownish, cringing, tremulous-voiced shyster pseudo-lawyer Algonquin J. Calhoun in the CBS Amos 'n' Andy TV and radio[2] comedy series in the early 1950s. His comedic portrayal of Calhoun was a highlight of a brilliant ensemble cast whose storylines remain eternally funny. Much of his career was spent in vaudeville, but he also performed in motion pictures, on recordings and in television. He released a record (as "Johnnie Lee") in July 1949 called "You Can't Lose A Broken Heart" (Columbia Records # 30172), with backup vocals by The Ebonaires. Lee also starred in an all-black musical comedy called "Sugar Hill" in 1949 at Las Palmas Theatre in California.[3]
Johnny Lee | |
---|---|
Born | John Dotson Lee Jr. July 4, 1898 Springfield, Missouri, U.S. |
Died | December 12, 1965 67) Los Angeles, California, U.S. | (aged
Occupations |
|
Years active | 1932–1965 |
Spouse | Jenrive Lee |
He died of a heart attack on December 12, 1965, age 67.[4]
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1932 | The Black King | Count of Zanzibar | Alternative title: Harlem Hot Shot |
1936 | The Green Pastures | Angel | Uncredited |
1942 | Tales of Manhattan | Shantytown Carpenter (Robeson sequence) | Uncredited |
1943 | Stormy Weather | Lyles | Uncredited |
1946 | Song of the South | Br'er Rabbit | Voice |
Mantan Runs for Mayor | |||
1948 | Boarding House Blues | Stanley | |
The Return of Mandy's Husband | |||
She's Too Mean for Me | |||
Come On, Cowboy! | |||
1951 | My Forbidden Past | Toy Vendor | Uncredited |
1952 | The Narrow Margin | Waiter | Uncredited |
1953 | Ramar of the Jungle | Chief Warren | Episode: "Savage Fury" |
1951-1953 | The Amos 'n Andy Show (TV) | Algonquin J. Calhoun | 68 episodes |
1955 | Screen Directors Playhouse | Simon | Episode: "Lincoln's Doctor's Dog" |
1956 | The First Traveling Saleslady | Amos | Uncredited |
Soldiers of Fortune | Kamele | Episode: "The Greater Magic" | |
The Adventures of Jim Bowie | Israel | Episode: "The Return of the Alciblade" | |
1957 | The Spirit of St. Louis | Jess - Cook at Louie's Shack | Uncredited |
1958 | Hot Spell | Colored Man | Uncredited |
1960 | The Rat Race | Janitor | Uncredited |
High Time | Servant at Judge Carter's Ball | Uncredited | |
North to Alaska | Coachman | Uncredited | |
1962-1963 | Dennis the Menace | Johnny the Locksmith Mr. Tibbitt |
2 episodes (final television appearance) |
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