Ivan Dixon, acclaimed actor, director and producer, passed away on March 16, 2008, at the age of 76. Born in Harlem, New York, Ivan Dixon began his career in theater, performing with the American Negro Theater in 1948. He went on to star in a variety of Broadway and touring plays, including Mr. Bemiss Takes a Trip (1965) and Cakewalk (1960). Though Dixon made small appearances in early television shows, such as The Phil Silvers Show, it was his featured role in the groundbreaking CBS drama, The Rifleman, that truly made him a household name. For his work on the show, Dixon won an Emmy nomination for a “Best Single Performance by an Actor” in 1964. In addition to his acting career, Dixon had a successful career as a director and producer, working on iconic television shows such as I Spy, Hawaii Five-O, and Room 222. He also directed the cult classic independent film, The Spook Who Sat By the Door (1973). Over the span of his career, Dixon earned six Emmy awards, five Directors Guild of America Awards, and four NAACP Image Awards. Ivan Dixon is survived by his wife, Rosemary Hayselden, two children, and two grandchildren. May he rest in peace.