Trivia

He did not attend the premiere of "Song of the South" in Atlanta because as an African American he would not have been allowed to participate in any of the festivities in that racially segregated city.

The first actor to win an Academy Award (although an honorary one) for his performance in a Walt Disney film.

Well-known old-time radio performer, especially for the role of "Gabby Gibson" on the Amos 'n' Andy Show.

Is one of two Disney stars buried in Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis, Indiana. Bill Shirley, who played Prince Charming in Sleeping Beauty is the other. However, James Baskett is buried in a grave, and Bill Shirley is buried in the main mausoleum. There is a special plaque marking James Baskett's grave that talks about his role in Song of the South.

His portrayal of Uncle Remus in "Song of the South" was the crowning achievement of his career, for which he won an honorary Academy Award at the annual Oscars Ceremony in March 1948, four months before his death. Ironically, his performance cannot be seen in its entirety in the United States, as the Walt Disney Co. will not release the film on the home video market because of its controversial nature, which was denounced as racist by the NAACP when it was premiered in 1946. A further irony is that the NAACP now has no public stance on the film.

Buried in Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis, Indiana.

His father John Baskett owned a barber shop in Indianapolis.

Baskett was in poor health during the filming of Song of the South because of diabetes. He suffered a heart attack in December 1946, shortly after the film's release. His health continued to decline and he died at his home from heart failure, resulting from his diabetes. He is buried at Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis, Indiana.

First African American man to win an Oscar (albeit an honorary one). Sidney Poitier was the first African American man to win a Best Actor Oscar for Lilies of the Field.

After Baskett died unexpectedly in 1948, acquaintances said he had been ill throughout the production of Song of the South two years earlier. [LA Evening Citizen News, July 10, 1948].

Second cousin of Bill Cobbs.

Was one of the earliest African American voice actors in an animation.