Here's how:
* He served as a historical consultant: Foote provided his expertise and insights on the Civil War to the filmmakers.
* He narrated the series: Foote's distinct southern drawl and insightful commentary helped bring the history of the Civil War to life for viewers.
* His books inspired the series: Ken Burns drew heavily from Foote's renowned book "The Civil War: A Narrative" as a source for the miniseries.
So, while he wasn't an actor, Shelby Foote's contributions to "The Civil War" were crucial to its success and made him a prominent figure in the project.