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)Thomas S. Hischak & Mark A. Robinson, The Disney Song Encyclopedia, 2009, p. 50. "... Ray Gilbert (lyric) for the innovative musical film Song of the South (1946), which successfully mixed animation and live action. During one of the animated Uncle Remus tales, Brer Rabbit (voice of Johnny Lee), captured by Brer Fox and Brer Bear and about to be cooked, happily sings about his secret laughing place. The ploy works; Rabbit's captors let him free..." and as Algonquin J. Calhoun in the CBS TV and radio comedy series Amos 'n' Andy in the early 1950s. 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.
He died of a heart attack on December 12, 1965, aged 67.Johnny Lee, biography, retrieved March 2011
Discography Song of the South: Soundtrack (1946) You Can't Lose a Broken Heart (released July 1949) Mickey Mouse's Birthday Party (1954)
Selected filmography 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 Uncredited1946 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 Uncredited1960 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 LocksmithMr. Tibbitt 2 episodes (final television appearance)
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