Johnny Lee

Johnny Lee

Born: July 4, 1898
Died: December 12, 1965
in Springfield, Missouri, USA
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.

Movies for Johnny Lee...

North to Alaska
Title: North to Alaska
Character: Coachman
Released: November 7, 1960
Type: Movie
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.
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The Rat Race
Title: The Rat Race
Character: Janitor (uncredited)
Released: July 10, 1960
Type: Movie
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.
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The Spirit of St. Louis
Title: The Spirit of St. Louis
Character: Cook
Released: April 1, 1957
Type: Movie
Charles 'Slim' Lindbergh struggles to finance and design an airplane that will make his New York to Paris flight the first solo trans-Atlantic crossing.
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The First Traveling Saleslady
Title: The First Traveling Saleslady
Character: Amos
Released: August 1, 1956
Type: Movie
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.
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Title: Amos 'n' Andy
Character: Algonquin J. Calhoun
Released: June 28, 1951
Type: TV
A sitcom set in Manhattan's historic black community of Harlem.
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Come On, Cowboy!
Title: Come On, Cowboy!
Released: January 1, 1949
Type: Movie
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.
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Return of Mandy's Husband
Title: Return of Mandy's Husband
Character: Johnny
Released: May 22, 1947
Type: Movie
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.
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Song of the South
Title: Song of the South
Character: Br'er Rabbit (voice)
Released: November 12, 1946
Type: Movie
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.
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Stormy Weather
Title: Stormy Weather
Character: Lyles (uncredited)
Released: July 21, 1943
Type: Movie
Dancing great Bill Williamson sees his face on the cover of Theatre World magazine and reminisces: Just back from World War I, he meets lovely singer Selina Rogers at a soldiers' ball and promises to come back to her when he "gets to be somebody." Years go by, and Bill and Selina's rising careers intersect only briefly, since Selina is unwilling to settle down. Will she ever change her mind? Concludes with a big all-star show hosted by Cab Calloway.
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The Black King
Title: The Black King
Character: Count of Zanzibar
Released: March 15, 1932
Type: Movie
A confident and unscrupulous minister begins a 'back to Africa' movement, proclaiming himself Emperor of the United States of Africa.