James Baskett
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| James Baskett | |||||||
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 In his signature role as Uncle Remus. (c)1946 Disney. |
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| Born | February 16, 1904 Indianapolis, Indiana |
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| Died | July 9, 1948 (aged 44) Los Angeles, California |
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| Years active | 1932 - 1946 | ||||||
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James Baskett (February 16, 1904–July 9, 1948) was an American actor known for his portrayal of Uncle Remus in the 1946 Disney feature film Song of the South, for which he was given an Honorary Academy Award, making him the first male performer of African descent to receive an Oscar.[1]
After abandoning his studies of pharmacology for financial reasons, Baskett supported himself as an actor, moving from his home town of Indianapolis, Indiana to New York City, New York and joining the company of Bill Robinson, better known as Mr. Bojangles. As Jimmie Baskette he appeared on Broadway with Louis Armstrong in the all-black musical revue Hot Chocolates in 1929, and was announced for Hummin' Sam in 1933, although it failed to open. He also acted in several all-black films made in the New York area, including Harlem Is Heaven (1932) starring Bill Robinson. He came to Los Angeles and had a supporting role in Straight to Heaven (1939), starring Nina Mae McKinney, and uncredited bit parts in the films Revenge of the Zombies (1943) and The Heavenly Body (1944). He was invited by Freeman Gosden to join the cast of the Amos 'n' Andy radio show as lawyer Gabby Gibson, whom he portrayed from 1944 to 1948.
In 1945, he auditioned for a bit part voicing one of the animals in the new Disney feature film Song of the South, based on the Uncle Remus stories by Joel Chandler Harris. Walt Disney was impressed with Baskett's talent and hired him on the spot for the lead role of Uncle Remus. Baskett was also given the voice role of Brer Fox, one of the film's animated antagonists, and even filled in as the main animated protagonist, Brer Rabbit, in one sequence.
Baskett was unable to attend the film's premiere in Atlanta, Georgia because he would not have been allowed to participate in any of the festivities in what was then a racially segregated city.[2]
In March 1948, Baskett received a special Academy Award for his performance as Uncle Remus. He died a few months later of heart disease.
He is buried at Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis, Indiana.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Black Film Center/Archive Feature Presentation: African American Oscar Winners
- ^ In a 15 October 1946 article in the Atlanta Constitution, columnist Harold Martin noted that to bring Baskett to Atlanta, where he would not have been allowed to participate in any of the festivities, "would cause him many embarrassments, for his feelings are the same as any man's."
