Sheldon Leonard (1907-1997) was an American actor, producer, director, and screenwriter, a pioneering figure in American television. He began his career as an actor, often playing gangster roles with a heavy New York accent. One of his best-known roles was that of Nick the bartender in "It's a Wonderful Life" (1946). However, his greatest impact was as a television producer. In the 1950s and 1960s, his production company produced highly successful series such as "The Danny Thomas Show," "The Andy Griffith Show," and "The Dick Van Dyke Show." He was also the executive producer of "I Spy," a groundbreaking series that broke racial barriers by casting Bill Cosby as a co-star in a dramatic role. Throughout his career, Leonard received numerous awards, including several Emmy Awards for producing, and was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 1992 in recognition of his fundamental contribution to the development of the television medium.