James Franklin Baskett was an American actor who portrayed Uncle Remus, singing the song "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah" in the 1946 Disney feature film Song of the South.
12 Facts About James Baskett
2.
James Baskett first moved to New York City, New York, where he joined up with Bill 'Mr Bojangles' Robinson.
3.
James Baskett later moved to Los Angeles, California, and had a supporting role in the film Straight to Heaven, starring Nina Mae McKinney.
4.
James Baskett was given the voice role of Brer Fox, one of the film's animated antagonists, and filled in as the main animated protagonist, Brer Rabbit, in one sequence.
5.
James Baskett was prohibited from attending the film's premiere in Atlanta, Georgia, because Atlanta was racially segregated by law.
6.
On March 20,1948, James Baskett received an Academy Honorary Award for his performance as Uncle Remus.
7.
James Baskett was the first African-American male actor to earn an Academy Award.
8.
Additionally, James Baskett was the last adult actor to receive an Honorary Oscar for a single performance.
9.
James Baskett had been in poor health during the filming of Song of the South due to diabetes and he suffered a heart attack in December 1946 shortly after the film's release.
10.
On July 9,1948, during the show's summer hiatus, James Baskett died at his home of heart failure resulting from diabetes at age 44.
11.
James Baskett was survived by his wife Margaret and his mother Elizabeth.
12.
James Baskett is buried at Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis.