Johnny Lee
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 & Full Filmography13 Titles
Drama Series - 1951, 16 episodes • as Calhoun
A pair of friends in Harlem find themselves caught up in a series of misadventures, business schemes, and everyday problems, often relying on their neighbors and community to help them out of trouble.
Movie - 1946, 2h 15m • as Br'er Rabbit (voice)
Uncle Remus draws upon his tales of Br'er Rabbit to help little Johnny deal with his confusion over his parents' separation as well as his new life on the plantation.
Movie - 1957, 2h 15m • as Jess - Cook at Louie's Shack (uncredited)
In 1927, Charles Lindbergh struggles to finance and design an airplane that will make his New York to Paris flight the first solo transatlantic crossing.
Movie - 1952, 2h 15m • as Waiter (uncredited)
A tough cop meets his match when he has to guard a gangster's widow on a train journey from Chicago to Los Angeles.
Movie - 1960, 2h 15m • as Coachman
After striking gold in Alaska, the romantic George sends his womanizing partner Sam to bring his fiancée up from Seattle. When Sam finds that she has already married, he returns instead with Angel, a dancer originally from France.
Movie - 1960, 2h 15m • as Janitor (uncredited)
An aspiring musician arrives in New York in search of fame and fortune. He soon meets a taxi dancer, moves in with her, and before too long a romance develops.
Movie - 1960, 2h 15m • as Servant at Judge Carter's Ball (uncredited)
Despite the dissapproval of his grown son and daughter, 51-year-old widdower and wealthy restauranteur Harvey Howard decides it's 'high time' to he gets his college degree. And he's in for the full ride: living in the dorms, joing a fraternity, falling in love, and even getting some studying in.
Movie - 1956, 2h 15m • as Amos
At the turn of the century Rose and ex-showbiz friend Molly get involved in selling steel. When they come unstuck with corsets they embark on the even more hazardous project of selling barbed wire to highly suspicious Texas cowboys.
Movie - 1943, 2h 15m • as Lyles (uncredited)
The relationship between an aspiring dancer and a popular songstress provides a retrospective of the great African-American entertainers of the early 1900s.
Movie - 1932, 2h 15m • as Count of Zanzibar
A confident and unscrupulous minister begins a 'back to Africa' movement, proclaiming himself Emperor of the United States of Africa.
Movie - 1948, 2h 15m • Main Cast Role
Mantan Moreland's comedy feature.
Movie - 1949, 2h 15m • Main Cast Role
Mr. Wilson hires Mantan to travel out West and clean out an old property. Mantan runs into trouble in believing the house is haunted while a gang uses it as a hideout. A race film Western produced by the Toddy Company; made for $500 over two days. Restoration by the Academy Film Archive and Blackhawk Films with funding from the estate of David Shepard from the only surviving 35mm nitrate print donated by Giancarlo Esposito and Laurence Fishburne.
Movie - 1947, 2h 15m • as Johnny
In order to make some cash, buddies Mantan and Alex found the "Ghost Association," which will hold mock seances for the local residents. After studying the details of the locals' various deceased relatives, Alex insist that the reluctant Manta, who is afraid of ghost, play "Prince Alabastar Amsterdam" and fool people into thinking that he is in communication with their dead loved ones.