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Johnny Lee

1898-07-04 – 1965-12-12 (age 67) Springfield, Missouri, USA
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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.

Known For

Song of the South
Song of the South

1946

as Br'er Rabbit (voice)

North to Alaska
North to Alaska

1960

as Coachman

The Spirit of St. Louis
The Spirit of St. Louis

1957

as Jess - Cook at Louie's Shack (uncredited)

Stormy Weather
Stormy Weather

1943

as Lyles (uncredited)

The Narrow Margin
The Narrow Margin

1952

as Waiter (uncredited)

High Time
High Time

1960

as Servant at Judge Carter's Ball (uncredited)

The Rat Race
The Rat Race

1960

as Janitor (uncredited)

The First Traveling Saleslady
Come On, Cowboy!
Return of Mandy's Husband
The Black King
The Black King

1932

as Count of Zanzibar