Robert Hooks

Robert Hooks, born Bobby Dean Hooks on April 18, 1937, is an American actor, producer, and activist. He is best known as one of the founders of The Negro Ensemble Company, along with Douglas Turner Ward and Gerald S. Krone. Hooks has made significant contributions to African-American theater, with The Negro Ensemble Company launching the careers of numerous black artists and creating a body of performance literature. In addition to this, Hooks is also the sole founder of two important black theater companies, the D.C. Black Repertory Company and New York's Group Theatre Workshop. Born in Foggy Bottom, Washington, D.C., Hooks grew up as the youngest of five children. He has had a successful career in both movies and TV shows, leaving a lasting impact on the entertainment industry.