Ivan-Dixon-Obituary

Ivan Dixon

Obituary

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - Actor Ivan Dixon, who brought the problems and promise of contemporary blacks to life in the film "Nothing But a Man" and portrayed the levelheaded POW Kinchloe in TV's "Hogan's Heroes," has died. He was 76.

Dixon died Sunday at Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte after a hemorrhage, said his daughter, Doris Nomathande Dixon of Charlotte. He had suffered complications from kidney failure, she said.

Dixon, who also directed scores of television shows, began his acting career in the late 1950s. He appeared on Broadway in William Saroyan's 1957 "The Cave Dwellers" and in playwright Lorraine Hansberry's groundbreaking 1959 drama of black life, "A Raisin in the Sun." In the latter, he played a Nigerian student visiting the United States, a role he repeated in the film version.

While not a hit, the 1964 "Nothing But a Man," in which Dixon co-starred with Abbey Lincoln, also drew praise as a rare, early effort to bring the lives of black Americans to the big screen.

Other film credits included "Something of Value," "A Patch of Blue" and the cult favorite "Car Wash."

"As an actor, you had to be careful," said Sidney Poitier, star of "Patch of Blue" and a longtime friend. "He was quite likely to walk off with the scene."

In 1967, Dixon starred in a CBS Playhouse drama, "The Final War of Olly Winter," about a veteran of World War II and Korea who decided that Vietnam would be his final war. The role brought Dixon an Emmy nomination for best single performance by an actor.

He was probably best known for the role of Staff Sgt. James Kinchloe on "Hogan's Heroes," the hit 1960s sitcom set in a German prisoner-of-war camp during World War II.

The technically adept Kinchloe was in charge of electronic communications and could mimic German officers on the radio or phone.

Dixon was active in efforts to get better parts for blacks in movies and television, telling The New York Times in 1967: "Sponsors haven't wanted anything negative connected with their products. We must convince them that the Negro is not negative."

"Heretofore, people have thought that, to use a Negro, the story must pit black against white. Maybe we're getting to the problems of human beings who happen to be black."

While Dixon was most proud of roles such as those in "A Raisin in the Sun" and "Nothing But a Man," he had no problem about being recognized for Kinchloe, his daughter said.

"It was a pivotal role as well, because there were not as many blacks in TV series at that time," Nomathande Dixon said. "He did have some personal issues with that role, but it also launched him into directing."

Dixon also directed numerous episodes of TV shows, including "The Waltons," "The Rockford Files," "Magnum, P.I." and "In the Heat of the Night."

In 1973, he directed the film "The Spook Who Sat by the Door," a political drama based on a novel about a black CIA agent who becomes a revolutionary. He also directed the 1972 "blaxploitation" story "Trouble Man."

His honors included four NAACP Image Awards, the National Black Theatre Award and the Paul Robeson Pioneer Award from the Black American Cinema Society.

Born in 1931 in New York, Dixon graduated in 1954 from North Carolina Central University in Durham.

In addition to his daughter, survivors include his wife of 53 years, Berlie Dixon of Charlotte, and a son, Alan Kimara Dixon of Oakland. At Dixon's request, no memorial or funeral is planned, the family said.
Copyright © 2008 The Associated Press


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Not sure what to say?

A great man, l loved him in nothing but a man, n patch of blue, is signature role, Hogan's Heros, loved the he ackowledge, his starting role throughout out career, not like other,RIP.

I wish i could have met you. I had/ have so much respect for you in so many ways. My friends cant believe im such a Kinch nut on top of everything else. Thank you for being you

R.I.P. you taught us all so much!

I introduced Nothing But A MAN to students at Lincoln University. He was an amazing role model. I surely wished I had met him. His line from Raisin became my mantra THINK. He should have been APPLAUDED by MORE!!!

May u Rest in Peace Ivan Dixon
I were awesome on Hogans Heroes
In fact u wete all awesome on HOGANS HEROES

MAY ALL OF U THE CAST OF HOGANS HEROES REST IN PEACE THE WORLD ISNT THE SAME WITH OUT U ALL :(

Watching Unsung Car Wash my goodness had no idea Ivan was the brother in Hogans Heroes. I was in High School when this movie came out. So so powerful and way ahead of its time. I lived in Charlotte 1984 to 2015. Would have loved to meet Mr Dixon and his family. His acting should have had far more recognition. Blessings to him and his family.

May your soul rest in paradise. Thank you for your contributions to the arts that impacted many and still do.

I so enjoyed watching you on TV as a child, as I still do now, as a Adult.
Thank you very much and may you continue to RIP!

Rip ivan still love watching hogan's heros