He is also father of: Cecelia Ann Hooks Onibudo, Christopher Carter Hooks, Michelle Thomas Hooks, Robert Hooks Jr., and Kiyo Dean Tarpley Hooks.
He is father of Eric Hooks.
He is father of actor turned director/producer Kevin Hooks.
He played the title role of "Henry V" at the New York Shakespeare Festival in 1965.
He was nominated for Broadway's 1968 Tony Award as Best Actor (Musical) for "Hallelujah, Baby!".
He was one of the original founders of the Negro Emsemble Company, a theater group in New York City, New York where he was executive director from 1965 to 1978.