hollywood: Ivan Dixon

Saturday, 30 June 2012

Ivan Dixon

Ivan Dixon, a handsome, mustachioed African-American actor and director who carried a strong, serious nature about his solid frame, initially earned attention on the ground-breaking stage and film with pronounced themes of social and racial relevance.Ivan Nathaniel Dixon III was born in Harlem, the son of a grocery store owner. When he was young, Dixon lived in the brownstone at 518 W. 150th St. in Harlem. Living on the same block were Josh White, Ralph Ellison and the Hines brothers (Gregory andMaurice).^[2] He graduated from the Lincoln Academy in Gaston County, North Carolina,^[3]and went on to earn a drama degree from North Carolina Central University in 1954,^[2]where the theater troupe is known as the Ivan Dixon Players.