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.
He is father of actor turned director/producer Kevin Hooks.
He is also father of: Cecelia Ann Hooks Onibudo, Christopher Carter,
Michelle Thomas Hooks, Robert Hooks Jr., and Kiyo Dean Tarpley Hooks.