Born - April 6, 1931
Died - March 16, 2008
Ivan Dixon, the only original cast member not to finish the series run, was
born in New York City on April 6, 1931. Ivan had a prestigious list of acting
credits before delving into the comedic escapades of Stalag 13. One of his
first acting credits was for the celebrated television anthology show "The
Dupont Show of the Month" in the 1960 production of "Arrowsmith."
He went on to act in the film version of the theatrical drama "A Raisin
in the Sun" with Ruby Dee and Sidney Poitier in 1961, in which he played
Asagai, the African boyfriend of Beneatha. He also portrayed Jim in the 1959
film version of "Porgy and Bess." His other pre-"Hogan's Heroes"
film work includes: "Something of Value" (1957), "The Murder
Men" (1961), and "The Battle at Bloody Beach" (1961).
Perhaps Ivan's most important film role is in the acclaimed drama "Nothing
But a Man" (1964). In this subtle, complicated character study, Ivan
plays Duff, a Southern railroad worker who must decide if his life, his marriage
and his relationship with his son will repeat the mistakes his own father
committed. Unlike many films of the era, it presents a cast of black characters
who are fully-developed individuals, with problems, joys and identities of
their own. Dixon acted with Poitier again in the 1965 film "A Patch of
Blue" about a blind white girl falling in love with a black man (Poitier).
Also in 1965, Dixon began his enlistment as Sergeant James Kinchloe on "Hogan's
Heroes" He left the series in 1970, one year before the show ended. His
post-"Hogan" films included: "Suppose They Gave a War and Nobody
Came?" (1970), the Vietnam veteran melodrama "Clay Pigeon"
(1971), and "Car Wash" (1976, as the boss, Lonnie). Other television
acting credits include the 1987 mini-series "Amerika," the 1986
mystery film "Perry Mason: The Case of the Shooting Star," in which
he played the judge, and the 1974 action drama "Fer-de-Lance" (aka
"Death Dive").
Ivan began directing films in the early 1970s, such as the 1972 gang warfare
flick "Trouble Man" and the 1973 action movie "The Spy Who
Sat by the Door" (which he also produced). For television, he directed
"Love Is Not Enough" (1978), the series "Palmerstown, U.S.A."
(1980), the detective series "Hawaiian Heat" (1984), and the telemovie
"Percy & Thunder" (1993).
Ivan Dixon, Actor in ‘Hogan’s Heroes,’ Dies at 76
By DENNIS HEVESI
Published: March 20, 2008
Ivan Dixon, an actor and director who was best known for playing Sgt. James
Kinchloe on the 1960s sitcom “Hogan’s Heroes” but whose films
included vivid portrayals of black struggles in the American South and insurrectionist
inclinations in the North, died on Sunday [March 16, 2008] in Charlotte, N.C.
He was 76 and lived in Charlotte.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/20/movies/20dixon.html
