Johnny Lee

Johnny Lee

  • Birthday: 1898-07-04
  • Deathday: 1965-12-12
  • Place of birth: Springfield, Missouri, USA

Biography

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) and as the clownish, cringing, tremulous-voiced shyster pseudo-lawyer Algonquin J. Calhoun in the CBS Amos 'n' Andy TV and radio 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 on 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. He died of a heart attack on December 12, 1965 age 67.

Filmography

The Rat Race

1960

As Janitor (uncredited)

Song of the South

1946

As Br'er Rabbit (voice)

The Black King

1932

As Count of Zanzibar

Stormy Weather

1943

As Lyles (uncredited)

North to Alaska

1960

As Coachman

Production

Dante's Hotel

2023

As Utility Stunts

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