Ivan Dixon was a talented and versatile actor, director, and producer who made a mark in the film and television industry. He is best known for his role as Sgt. James Kinchloe in the popular sitcom Hogan’s Heroes, which ran from 1965 to 1970. However, he also starred in many other films and shows, such as A Raisin in the Sun, Nothing But a Man, The Twilight Zone, and The Final War of Olly Winter. He was also active in the civil rights movement and served as a president of Negro Actors for Action.
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Early Life and Education
Ivan Dixon was born on April 6, 1931, in Harlem, New York City, to a grocery store owner and his wife, who later owned a bakery. His parents separated when he was young, and he lived with his mother while working in his father’s store. His father, also named Ivan, fought with distinction in World War I and read Yiddish.
Dixon grew up in a culturally rich neighborhood, where he met famous figures such as Josh White, Ralph Ellison, and the Hines brothers. He attended Lincoln Academy, a private black boarding school in North Carolina, where he graduated in 1948. He then earned a drama degree from North Carolina Central University (NCCU) in 1954, where he joined the Omega Psi Phi fraternity. He later studied drama at Case Western Reserve University and the American Theatre Wing.
Acting Career
Dixon made his Broadway debut in 1957 in William Saroyan’s The Cave Dwellers. In 1959, he performed in Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun, alongside Sidney Poitier and Ruby Dee. He also worked as a stunt double for Poitier in the film The Defiant Ones.
He appeared in two episodes of The Twilight Zone: “The Big Tall Wish” and “I Am the Night—Color Me Black”. He also co-starred with Dorothy Dandridge in “Blues for a Junkman”, an episode of Cain’s Hundred that was later released as a feature film titled The Murder Men.
However, his most memorable role was as James Kinchloe, the communications officer of a group of Allied prisoners who conducted espionage and sabotage activities against the Nazis in Hogan’s Heroes. Dixon played the role for five seasons, from 1965 to 1970, becoming one of the first black actors to have a regular role on a network television series.
Why He Left Hogan’s Heroes
Despite his popularity and success on Hogan’s Heroes, Dixon decided to leave the show after the fifth season. He had several reasons for his departure:
- He felt that his talents were being under-utilized on the show, as his role was limited to encoding and sending messages to London. He wanted to pursue more challenging and diverse roles that would reflect his abilities and interests as an actor.
- He felt that the show was stereotypical towards African Americans, as it portrayed him as a passive and subordinate character who stayed in a prison camp while his white counterparts engaged in more adventurous and heroic actions. He wanted to play roles that would represent the true nature and potential of black people in society.
- He wanted to focus on directing, which he had developed an interest in while working on the set of Hogan’s Heroes. He learned the skills and techniques of television production from observing and assisting the directors of the show. He wanted to apply his knowledge and creativity to direct his own projects.
Directing Career
After leaving Hogan’s Heroes, Dixon immersed himself into directing. His first major project was The Blacks at the Mark Taper Forum, which starred Maya Angelou, Robert Hooks, Roscoe Lee Browne, and Cicely Tyson. He then directed many episodes of various television series, such as The Waltons, The Rockford Files, Magnum P.I., The A-Team, Quantum Leap, and The Cosby Show.
He also directed several films, such as Trouble Man (1972), The Spook Who Sat by the Door (1973), Car Wash (1976), and The Final War of Olly Winter (1967). His most acclaimed film was Nothing But a Man (1964), which he also co-produced and co-wrote with Michael Roemer. The film was a realistic and poignant portrayal of the life of a black railroad worker who struggles with racism and oppression in the South. It won several awards and was praised by critics and audiences alike. It is considered one of the best films about black life ever made.
Personal Life and Death
Dixon married Berlie Ray, a dancer and choreographer, in 1954. They had four children: Ivan Dixon IV, Doris Nomathande Dixon, Alan Kimara Dixon, and N’Gai Christopher Dixon. They remained married until his death in 2008.
Dixon died on March 16, 2008, at the age of 76, in Charlotte, North Carolina. The cause of death was a hemorrhage, complications from kidney failure. He had been suffering from diabetes for several years and had undergone dialysis treatment. He was buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Los Angeles.
Legacy and Honors
Dixon left behind a legacy of excellence and innovation in the film and television industry. He was a pioneer and a trailblazer for black actors and directors, who paved the way for more opportunities and recognition for people of color in the media. He was also a social activist and a leader who fought for civil rights and justice for his community. He was honored with many awards and accolades, such as:
- The NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture for Nothing But a Man in 1965
- The Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Single Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role for The Final War of Olly Winter in 1968
- The NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Directing in a Dramatic Series for The Waltons in 1973
- The Peabody Award for Personal Award for his contribution to television in 1977
- The induction into the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame in 1978
- The honorary doctorate from North Carolina Central University in 1991
- The naming of the theater troupe at North Carolina Central University as the Ivan Dixon Players in his honor
Ivan Dixon was a remarkable man who lived a remarkable life. He was an inspiration and a role model for many people who admired his talent, courage, and vision. He will always be remembered as one of the greatest stars of Hogan’s Heroes and one of the most influential figures in the history of film and television.