Reza Badiyi

Reza Badiyi, a prolific TV director and producer,was best known for his work on such shows as "In the Heat of the Night," "Cagney & Lacey," and "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine." Badiyi began his 60-plus year career in 1956, when he served as assistant cameraman on the short film "The Magic Bond." He worked as assistant director on several TV series before gaining notice for his directorial efforts on such shows as "Get Smart" and "The Doris Day Show." From 1969 to 1972 he directed a record-setting 17 episodes of the action-adventure series "Mission: Impossible." In addition to his directorial duties on such hit shows as "Hawaii Five-0," "Mary Tyler Moore," and "Get Smart," Badiyi also created their memorable opening sequences. During the '70s he helmed multiple episodes of the violent crime drama "Mannix" and served as a primary director on the James Garner mystery show "The Rockford Files" and the award-winning undercover cop series "Baretta." Beginning in the '80s Badiyi directed a number of TV movies, including an adaptation of "Of Mice and Men," and continued filming such series as "T.J. Hooker" and "Falcon Crest." Badiyi worked steadily through the '90s on such primetime programs as "Baywatch," "Sliders," and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." He has since received numerous lifetime achievement awards and directed the 2006 film "The Way Back Home." He died in Los Angeles in 2011, aged 81.