Actor, & Singer. He is fondly remembered for his portrayal of 'Uncle Remus' in the 1946 Walt Disney live action/animated musical film "Song of the South" that was based on the Uncle Remus stories by Joel Chandler Harris. He studied pharmacology as a young man but gave it up to pursue an acting career. He moved to New York City, New York where he joined up with Bill 'Mr. Bojangles' Robinson. Using the name Jimmie Baskette, he appeared with Louis Armstrong on Broadway in the 1929 black musical revue "Hot Chocolates" and in several all-black New York films, including "Harlem is Heaven" (1932). He later moved to Los Angeles, California and had small roles in "Straight to Heaven" (1939), "Dumbo" (1941), "Revenge of the Zombies" (1943), and "The Heavenly Body" (1944). From 1944 until 1948 he joined the cast of the "Amos 'n' Andy Show" as lawyer 'Gabby Gibson'. In 1945 he auditioned for a voice role in Disney's "Song of the South." An impressed Walt Disney hired him on the spot for the lead role of 'Uncle Remus' that featured his song "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah." He also performed the voice role of 'Brer Fox', one of the film's animated antagonists. In March 1948 he won an Honorary Academy Award for his role as 'Uncle Remus' in "Song of the South." Suffering from poor health in the last two years of his life, he died of heart failure stemming from diabetes at the age of 44.
Actor, & Singer. He is fondly remembered for his portrayal of 'Uncle Remus' in the 1946 Walt Disney live action/animated musical film "Song of the South" that was based on the Uncle Remus stories by Joel Chandler Harris. He studied pharmacology as a young man but gave it up to pursue an acting career. He moved to New York City, New York where he joined up with Bill 'Mr. Bojangles' Robinson. Using the name Jimmie Baskette, he appeared with Louis Armstrong on Broadway in the 1929 black musical revue "Hot Chocolates" and in several all-black New York films, including "Harlem is Heaven" (1932). He later moved to Los Angeles, California and had small roles in "Straight to Heaven" (1939), "Dumbo" (1941), "Revenge of the Zombies" (1943), and "The Heavenly Body" (1944). From 1944 until 1948 he joined the cast of the "Amos 'n' Andy Show" as lawyer 'Gabby Gibson'. In 1945 he auditioned for a voice role in Disney's "Song of the South." An impressed Walt Disney hired him on the spot for the lead role of 'Uncle Remus' that featured his song "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah." He also performed the voice role of 'Brer Fox', one of the film's animated antagonists. In March 1948 he won an Honorary Academy Award for his role as 'Uncle Remus' in "Song of the South." Suffering from poor health in the last two years of his life, he died of heart failure stemming from diabetes at the age of 44.
Bio by: William Bjornstad
Inscription
Dedicated to the memory of
Indianapolis native
James Baskett
For his academy award winning
Portrayal of master storyteller
Uncle Remus in Walt Disney's
1946 movie, "Song of the South"
Not in your day nor yet in my day, says
Uncle Remus, but once upon a time...
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