About
"I know what my proudest career achievement is: being there for others. Using my leverage, my celebrity, to help others."
In his nearly-four-hour interview, Robert Hooks talks about his childhood in Washington, D.C. and how he became interested in acting. He shares how seeing the play A Raisin in the Sun impacted his life and how he got his first professional role acting in the play. He discusses several Broadway and off-Broadway productions he was in, and details how he founded the Group Theatre Workshop, co-founded the Negro Ensemble Company, and founded the D.C. Black Repertory Company. Hooks recalls bringing plays that he produced to television (Days of Absence and Ceremonies in Dark Old Men), and recounts his early television roles, including his appearances on East Side/West Side, and his lead role as "Detective Jeff Ward" on N.Y.P.D., the role that made him the first Black man to have a lead role on a U.S. primetime drama. He talks about several TV movies, specials, and miniseries that he appeared in, including Carter's Army; the CBS General Electric Theater production of "Just an Old Sweet Song"; Backstairs at the White House; The Sophisticated Gents; Voices of Our People; Sister, Sister; and Words by Heart. Hooks also talks about the many guest roles he had on TV sitcoms and dramas, including roles on 227; Seinfeld; Friends; and Murder, She Wrote. He discusses some of his film work, and concludes with his recollections of industry changes over the years and advice to aspiring actors. Adrienne Faillace conducted the interview on July 10, 2025 in Burbank, CA.
Highlights
Robert Hooks on why he started a theater company and on the first company he created
Robert Hooks on how he got his first role in a play -- in A Raisin in the Sun -- by going backstage to meet the actors and getting advice
Robert Hooks on Douglas Turner Ward's New York Times article, “Theater in America: For Whites Only?” and how it led to the formation of the Negro Ensemble Company
Robert Hooks on starring in the Profiles in Courage episode about Frederick Douglass
Robert Hooks on how he was cast in a lead role as "Detective Jeff Ward" on N.Y.P.D. and on the joys of shooting the show in New York City
Robert Hooks on advice for aspiring actors
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On his childhood in Washington, D.C.; on how he became interested in acting and what he enjoys about acting; on moving to Philadelphia; on the death of his father and the music he associates with that moment; on his early film and radio influences
On seeing the play A Raisin in the Sun for the first time and the impact it had on him; on how he got his first role in a play -- in A Raisin in the Sun -- by going backstage to meet the actors and getting advice
On performing in additional plays, including The Blacks; on meeting Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and later attending the March on Washington; on meeting Malcolm X; on how he got his big break -- a role in A Raisin in the Sun; on Diana Sands helping him get an agent
On appearing in the plays A Taste of Honey, Tiger, Tiger, Burning Bright, The Milk Train Doesn’t Stop Here Anymore, Dutchman, Hallelujah, Baby, Arturo Ui, and Ballad for Bimshire; on the influence of Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on him
On forming the Group Theatre Workshop; on co-founding the Negro Ensemble Company with Douglas Turner Ward and Gerald Krone; on Roscoe Lee Brown being responsible for changing his name from Bobby Dean Hooks to Robert Hooks
Chapter 2
On bringing the plays Day of Absence to PBS and Ceremonies in Dark Old Men to ABC in the 1970s; on the legacy of the Group Theatre Workshop and the Negro Ensemble Company
On his early television work on East Side/West Side; on how television production differed from theater production; on starring in the Profiles in Courage episode about Frederick Douglass; on his involvement in the Negro Actors Guild and acting in one David Merrick play and boycotting another that didn't employ any Black people; on working with Joseph Papp; on admiring Frank Sinatra and Barbra Streisand and how they inspire his work
On the craft of acting; on getting inspiration from the Berlin Ensemble Company and Harold Cluman's Group Theatre Workshop
On how he was cast in a lead role as "Detective Jeff Ward" on N.Y.P.D.; on input he had on his character, storylines, and on artists that joined the show; on memorable episodes, the show's cancellation, working with the writers, and on getting recognized more in his daily life
Chapter 3
On founding the D.C. Black Repertory Company after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
On television movies and miniseries he was in, including Carter's Army, and the CBS General Electric Theater production of "Just an Old Sweet Song"; on the racist, dangerous shooting conditions he faced during production of the film Hurry Sundown in Baton Rouge, LA
On appearing in the miniseries Backstairs at the White House and The Sophisticated Gents; on appearing in the TV movie Down Home
On appearing in the PBS special Voices of Our People and in the TV movies Sister, Sister and Words By Heart; on moving to Los Angeles; on his son Robert, and his grandkids
Chapter 4
On his many guest roles on television, including on 227, Seinfeld, Friends, Murder, She Wrote, and The Hoop Life; on how cable and streaming have impacted the industry
On starring in the 1972 film Trouble Man and appearing in the TV movie Seventeen Again; on playing "Admiral Morrow" in the film Star Trek III: The Search for Spock
On changes he's seen in the industry since he started; on the value of mentorship in the industry, the value of oral histories, advice for aspiring actors, his proudest career achievement, how he'd like to be remembered, and career regrets
B-roll photos: a photo of the Media Forum actors in Voices of Our People, and the casts of N.Y.P.D. and The Sophisticated Gents
Shows
227
Robert Hooks on enjoying his guest role on 227
Backstairs at the White House
Robert Hooks on appearing in the miniseries Backstairs at the White House
East Side/West Side
Robert Hooks on his first national television appearance -- on East Side/West Side
Friends
Rober Hooks on walking off of a guest spot on Friends because the director wanted "Redd Foxx" from him
General Electric Theater, The
Robert Hooks on starring with Cicely Tyson in the CBS General Electric Theater production of "Just an Old Sweet Song"
Hollywood Television Theatre
Robert Hooks on bringing the play Day of Absence to PBS in 1971
Murder, She Wrote
Robert Hooks on guest-starring on Murder, She Wrote
N.Y.P.D.
Robert Hooks on photos of the cast of N.Y.P.D.
Robert Hooks on how he was cast in a lead role as "Detective Jeff Ward" on N.Y.P.D. and on the joys of shooting the show in New York City
Robert Hooks on wanting his N.Y.P.D. character, "Detective Jeff Ward," to have a family and on additional input he had on his character, storylines, and artists that joined the show
Robert Hooks on memorable episodes of N.Y.P.D., including "Encounter on a Rooftop" in which a white rookie cop shoots "Detective Jeff Ward", and on the cancellation of the show
Robert Hooks on working with the writers on N.Y.P.D. and on getting recognized in his daily life
Profiles in Courage
Robert Hooks on starring in the Profiles in Courage episode about Frederick Douglass
Seinfeld
Rober Hooks on guest-starring on two episodes of Seinfeld
Topics
Advice
Robert Hooks on advice for aspiring actors
Civil Rights Movement
Robert Hooks on founding the D.C. Black Repertory Company after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Robert Hooks on the racist, dangerous shooting conditions he faced during production of the film Hurry Sundown in Baton Rouge, LA
Robert Hooks on there being KKK members on the crew of the film Hurry Sundown
Robert Hooks on bringing the play Day of Absence to PBS in 1971, written by Douglas Turner Ward and based on Ward's experiences at the Montgomery Bus Boycott
Robert Hooks on forming the Group Theatre Workshop
Robert Hooks on Douglas Turner Ward's New York Times article, “Theater in America: For Whites Only?” and how it led to the formation of the Negro Ensemble Company
Creative Influences and Inspiration
Robert Hooks on how Frank Sinatra and Barbra Streisand have impacted his acting
Emmy Awards
Robert Hooks on winning an Emmy for the PBS special Voices of Our People
Fame and Celebrity
Robert Hooks on getting recognized in his daily life during the run of N.Y.P.D.
First Big Break
Robert Hooks on how he got his first role in a play -- in A Raisin in the Sun -- by going backstage to meet the actors and getting advice
Historic Events and Social Change
Robert Hooks on how cable and streaming have impacted the industry
Robert Hooks on changes he's seen in the industry since he started - more opportunities for artists of color and higher amounts being paid to actors
Rober Hooks on walking off of a guest spot on Friends because the director wanted "Redd Foxx" from him
Robert Hooks on founding the D.C. Black Repertory Company after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Robert Hooks on the racist, dangerous shooting conditions he faced during production of the film Hurry Sundown in Baton Rouge, LA
Robert Hooks on there being KKK members on the crew of the film Hurry Sundown
Robert Hooks on starring in the Profiles in Courage episode about Frederick Douglass
Robert Hooks on memorable episodes of N.Y.P.D., including "Encounter on a Rooftop" in which a white rookie cop shoots "Detective Jeff Ward"
Robert Hooks on wanting his N.Y.P.D. character "Detective Jeff Ward," to have a family and on additional input he had on his character, storylines, and artists that joined the show
Robert Hooks on bringing the play Day of Absence to PBS in 1971, written by Douglas Turner Ward and based on Ward's experiences at the Montgomery Bus Boycott
Robert Hooks on attending the March on Washington
Robert Hooks on forming the Group Theatre Workshop
Robert Hooks on Douglas Turner Ward's New York Times article, “Theater in America: For Whites Only?” and how it led to the formation of the Negro Ensemble Company
Memorable Moments on Television
Robert Hooks on memorable episodes of N.Y.P.D., including "Encounter on a Rooftop" in which a white rookie cop shoots "Detective Jeff Ward"
New Media
Robert Hooks on how cable and streaming have impacted the industry
Overcoming Adversity
Robert Hooks on founding the D.C. Black Repertory Company after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Robert Hooks on Douglas Turner Ward's New York Times article, “Theater in America: For Whites Only?” and how it led to the formation of the Negro Ensemble Company
Pivotal Career Moments
Robert Hooks on founding the D.C. Black Repertory Company after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Robert Hooks on how Frank Sinatra and Barbra Streisand have impacted his acting
Robert Hooks on how he got his first role in a play -- in A Raisin in the Sun -- by going backstage to meet the actors and getting advice
Robert Hooks on forming the Group Theatre Workshop
Robert Hooks on Douglas Turner Ward's New York Times article, “Theater in America: For Whites Only?” and how it led to the formation of the Negro Ensemble Company
Pop Culture
Robert Hooks on playing "Admiral Morrow" in the film Star Trek III: The Search for Spock and on contract negotiations for the role
Robert Hooks on getting recognized in his daily life during the run of N.Y.P.D.
Representation on Television
Robert Hooks on how cable and streaming have impacted the industry
Robert Hooks on changes he's seen in the industry since he started - more opportunities for artists of color and higher amounts being paid to actors
Rober Hooks on walking off of a guest spot on Friends because the director wanted "Redd Foxx" from him
Robert Hooks on starring in the Profiles in Courage episode about Frederick Douglass
Robert Hooks on memorable episodes of N.Y.P.D., including "Encounter on a Rooftop" in which a white rookie cop shoots "Detective Jeff Ward"
Robert Hooks on wanting his N.Y.P.D. character, "Detective Jeff Ward," to have a family and on additional input he had on his character, storylines, and artists that joined the show
Robert Hooks on bringing the play Day of Absence to PBS in 1971, written by Douglas Turner Ward and based on Ward's experiences at the Montgomery Bus Boycott
Television Industry
Robert Hooks on what he looked for in guest roles on television
Robert Hooks on how cable and streaming have impacted the industry
Robert Hooks on changes he's seen in the industry since he started - more opportunities for artists of color and higher amounts being paid to actors
Robert Hooks on advice for aspiring actors
Rober Hooks on walking off of a guest spot on Friends because the director wanted "Redd Foxx" from him
Robert Hooks on his first impressions of television production -- on East Side/West Side -- and how it differed from theater production
Underrepresented Voices
Robert Hooks on how cable and streaming have impacted the industry
Robert Hooks on changes he's seen in the industry since he started - more opportunities for artists of color and higher amounts being paid to actors
Rober Hooks on walking off of a guest spot on Friends because the director wanted "Redd Foxx" from him
Robert Hooks on starring in the Profiles in Courage episode about Frederick Douglass
Robert Hooks on memorable episodes of N.Y.P.D., including "Encounter on a Rooftop" in which a white rookie cop shoots "Detective Jeff Ward"
Robert Hooks on wanting his N.Y.P.D. character, "Detective Jeff Ward," to have a family and on additional input he had on his character, storylines, and artists that joined the show
Robert Hooks on bringing the play Day of Absence to PBS in 1971, written by Douglas Turner Ward and based on Ward's experiences at the Montgomery Bus Boycott
Professions
Actor
Robert Hooks on advice for aspiring actors
Robert Hooks on his first impressions of acting for television -- on East Side/West Side -- and how it differed from acting for theater
Robert Hooks on the craft of acting, how he prepares for a role, and theater companies that impacted him
Robert Hooks on how Frank Sinatra and Barbra Streisand have impacted his acting
Robert Hooks on his sister getting him into acting
Robert Hooks on what drew him to performing
Performers
Robert Hooks on advice for aspiring actors
Robert Hooks on his first impressions of acting for television -- on East Side/West Side -- and how it differed from acting for theater
Robert Hooks on the craft of acting, how he prepares for a role, and theater companies that impacted him
Robert Hooks on how Frank Sinatra and Barbra Streisand have impacted his acting
Robert Hooks on his sister getting him into acting
Robert Hooks on what drew him to performing
Genres
Classic Anthology Series
Robert Hooks on starring with Cicely Tyson in the CBS General Electric Theater production of "Just an Old Sweet Song"
Comedy Series
Robert Hooks on his guest roles on 227, Seinfeld, and Friends
Drama Series
Robert Hooks on guest-starring on Murder, She Wrote and the Showtime series The Hoop Life
Robert Hooks on starring in the Profiles in Courage episode about Frederick Douglass
Robert Hooks on his first national television appearance -- on East Side/West Side
Robert Hooks on playing "Detective Jeff Ward" on N.Y.P.D.
TV Movies/Miniseries/Dramatic Specials
Robert Hooks on appearing with Hope Clarke in the TV movie Seventeen Again
Robert Hooks on starring with Stephen Boyd in the TV movie Carter's Army
Robert Hooks on appearing in the miniseries Backstairs at the White House and The Sophisticated Gents
Robert Hooks on the TV movie Down Home
Robert Hooks on co-producing and starring in the PBS special Voices of Our People and the legacy of the special and of the Media Forum
Robert Hooks on appearing in the 1982 TV movie Sister, Sister
Robert Hooks on bringing the play Day of Absence to PBS in 1971
Robert Hooks on bringing the play Ceremonies in Dark Old Men to ABC in 1975
People
Jason Alexander
Rober Hooks on guest-starring on two episodes of Seinfeld
Tallulah Bankhead
Robert Hooks on how he got a signed picture of President Kennedy
Paul Bogart
Robert Hooks on bringing the play Day of Absence to PBS in 1971, directed by Paul Bogart
Michael Caine
Robert Hooks on the racist, dangerous shooting conditions he faced during production of the film Hurry Sundown in Baton Rouge, LA
Jane Fonda
Robert Hooks on the racist, dangerous shooting conditions he faced during production of the film Hurry Sundown in Baton Rouge, LA
Marla Gibbs
Robert Hooks on enjoying his guest role on 227
Kevin Hooks
Robert Hooks on guest-starring on The Hoop Life and being directed by his son Kevin Hooks
Robert Hooks on his son, Kevin Hooks, getting his first on-screen role on N.Y.P.D. (opposite Al Pacino)
Charles Floyd Johnson
Robert Hooks on co-producing and starring in the PBS special Voices of Our People and the legacy of the special and of the Media Forum
John F. Kennedy
Robert Hooks on how he got a signed picture of President Kennedy
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Robert Hooks on founding the D.C. Black Repertory Company after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Robert Hooks on performing in the play The Blacks and meeting Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and later attending the March on Washington
Angela Lansbury
Robert Hooks on guest-starring on Murder, She Wrote
Daniel Melnick
Robert Hooks on memorable episodes of N.Y.P.D., including "Encounter on a Rooftop" in which a white rookie cop shoots "Detective Jeff Ward"
Tia Mowry
Robert Hooks on appearing with Tia and Tamera Mowry in the TV movie Seventeen Again
Tamera Mowry
Robert Hooks on appearing with Tia and Tamera Mowry in the TV movie Seventeen Again
Al Pacino
Robert Hooks on his son, Kevin Hooks, getting his first on-screen role on N.Y.P.D. (opposite Al Pacino)
Joseph Papp
Robert Hooks on working with Joe Papp (Papp directed him when he played the lead in Henry V)
Brock Peters
Robert Hooks on co-producing and starring in the PBS special Voices of Our People and the legacy of the special and of the Media Forum
Sidney Poitier
Robert Hooks on how he and Sidney Poitier differed in their interactions with people
George C. Scott
Robert Hooks on his first national television appearance -- on East Side/West Side
William Shatner
Robert Hooks on playing "Admiral Morrow" in the film Star Trek III: The Search for Spock
Frank Sinatra
Robert Hooks on loving Frank Sinatra's phrasing
Aaron Spelling
Robert Hooks on working with Aaron Spelling many times throughout his career
Barbra Streisand
Robert Hooks on loving Barbra Streisand
David Susskind
Robert Hooks on how he was cast in a lead role as "Detective Jeff Ward" on N.Y.P.D., becoming the first Black actor to star in an American primetime drama series
Robert Hooks on memorable episodes of N.Y.P.D., including "Encounter on a Rooftop" in which a white rookie cop shoots "Detective Jeff Ward"
Cicely Tyson
Robert Hooks on starring with Cicely Tyson in the CBS General Electric Theater production of "Just an Old Sweet Song"
Robert Hooks on his first national television appearance -- on East Side/West Side
Jack Warden
Robert Hooks on photos of the cast of N.Y.P.D.
Alfre Woodard
Robert Hooks on appearing in the TV movie Words by Heart
Malcolm X
Robert Hooks on meeting Malcolm X