
Photo: film screenshot (Monogram Pictures) / Public domain (source: Wikimedia Commons)
James Baskett was born on February 16, 1904 in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States and was credited as a stage actor, film actor and musician. Death is recorded on July 9, 1948, at the age of 44. Recorded honors include Academy Honorary Award.
My Take
James Baskett's story sits at a painful crossroads of film history. He gave us Uncle Remus and "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah" in Song of the South, earning an Honorary Academy Award in 1948, yet he died that same year at just forty-four, and the film itself has become something Disney would rather bury. I can't separate the warmth he clearly brought to the screen from the segregation-era limits placed around him, including not being able to attend his own film's Atlanta premiere. To me he's a reminder that talent and dignity often outran the systems that hired them. His Oscar feels both a tribute and an apology.
This take was written by generative AI, one per person, from publicly reported facts (editorial policy). It is a reading of the record, not reporting.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- James Baskett
- Name (Japanese)
- ジェームズ・バスケット
- Reading
- じぇーむず・ばすけっと
- Born
- February 16, 1904 – July 9, 1948
- Origin
- Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
- Occupation
- stage actor / film actor / actor / musician
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Aquarius / Dragon
2. Background
Awards & achievements
- Academy Honorary Award
3. Links
4. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.
Frequently asked questions
When was James Baskett born?
Born February 16, 1904.
When did James Baskett die?
Died July 9, 1948, aged 44.
Where was James Baskett from?
James Baskett was from Indianapolis, Indiana, United States.
What did James Baskett do?
James Baskett worked as stage actor, film actor, actor, musician.
Stage actor — see all → · Film actor — see all → · More people from the United States →