If you’re from the Old School era of the late 1970’s/early 80’s, you more than likely are very familiar with actor, Kevin Hooks (62). From 1978 to 1981, he played “Morris Thorpe”- the high school basketball player who had a problem with authority, in hit TV show, “The White Shadow.” For those who aren’t familiar with “The White Shadow,” here’s a quick rundown: The show was about a former Caucasian Chicago Bull player becoming a high school coach in South Central Los Angeles.

Here’s the thing, what many fans didn’t know at that time, is that as we were watching Kevin Hooks do his thing on “The White Shadow,” we were also watching his Pops play roles in other various TV shows and films. Simply put, Kevin’s dad is a legend and if you don’t know who he is, get ready to learn a lil’ somethin’ today ILOSM fam.’

Who’s His Daddy?

Meet Kevin Hook’s father, actor Robert Hooks. Remember him? Robert’s most popular roles include ‘Reeve Scott”‘ in “Hurry Sundown” (1967); ‘Mr. T’ in the 70’s film “Trouble Man” (1972); ‘Grandpa Gene Donovan’ in the comedy, “Seventeen Again” (2000); and ‘Fleet Admiral Morrow’ in “Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984).” He also portrayed ‘Doctor Walcott’ in the 1980s television series, “Dynasty.”

Robert was once married to Kevin’s mother, Yvonne Hickman (whom there are no photos of, because she apparently wasn’t into the spotlight like her ex-husband and son), whom he also has two more children with.

Robert Hooks’ OTHER Actor Son

In addition to having one actor son, Robert actually has another one! His name is Eric Hooks and many of y’all may not know him by name, but if you know anything about classic Black films from back in the day, you’ll probably remember his face. Eric Hooks mostly acted during his childhood years, with one of his most popular roles being in the film, “Sounder.” In that dramatic 1972 classic, Eric starred alongside his brother, Kevin, as well as Hollywood heavyweights, Cicely Tyson and Paul Winfield.

https://youtu.be/ulCdv0OMY1U

So as you can see, acting was in their blood because they had their Pops set a great example for them.

Aside from Kevin and Eric Hooks, their father has 5 more children- Cecelia Ann Hooks Onibudo, Christopher Carter, Michelle Thomas Hooks, Robert Hooks Jr., and Kiyo Dean Tarpley Hooks.

Why Robert Hooks Started The Negro Ensemble Company

According to New York Times, Robert Hooks is also ‘a founder of the Negro Ensemble Company, a theater group in Manhattan of which he was the executive director from 1965 to 1978.’ In the interview below, Robert Hooks explained how Sidney Poitier and Douglas Turner Ward, encouraged him to relocate from Philadelphia to New York on pretty much a wing and a prayer to hopefully spark a successful acting career. It was from there, that something else was sparked in him- his transition from being a then up-and-coming Broadway actor- to creating his own platform that would offer equal opportunities for many Black actors.

One more fun fact about Robert, is that he didn’t give on up on finding love again, after his two failed marriages to Rosie Lee Hooks and Yvonne Hickman. In 2008, he married his bride, Lorrie Marlow, at the age of 70 years young. These days, the brotha is still happy, healthy, and married at 83.

The post Father Of “The White Shadow” Actor Is A Legendary 70s And 80s Actor Too appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

If you’re from the Old School era of the late 1970’s/early 80’s, you more than likely are very familiar with actor, Kevin Hooks (59). From 1978 to 1981, he played “Morris Thorpe”- the high school basketball player who had a problem with authority, in hit TV show, “White Shadow.” For those who aren’t familiar with “White Shadow,” here’s a quick rundown: The show was about a former Caucasian Chicago Bull player becoming a high school coach in South Central Los Angeles.

Embed from Getty Images

Here’s the thing, what many fans didn’t know at that time, is that as we were watching Kevin Hooks do his thing on “White Shadow,” we were also watching his Pops play roles in other various TV shows and films. Simply put, Kevin’s dad is a legend and if you don’t know who he is, get ready to learn a lil’ somethin’ today ILOSM fam.’

Who’s His Daddy?

Embed from Getty Images

Meet Kevin Hook’s father, actor Robert Hooks. Remember him? Robert’s most popular roles include ‘Reeve Scott”‘ in “Hurry Sundown” (1967); ‘Mr. T’ in the 70’s film “Trouble Man” (1972); ‘Grandpa Gene Donovan’ in the comedy, “Seventeen Again” (2000); and ‘Fleet Admiral Morrow’ in “Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984).” He also portrayed ‘Doctor Walcott’ in the 1980s television series, “Dynasty.”

Robert was once married to Kevin’s mother, Yvonne Hickman (whom there are no photos of, because she apparently wasn’t into the spotlight like her ex-husband and son), whom he also has two more children with. Kevin always pays homage to his dad online, just as he did this past Father’s day with his Instagram tribute to him:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BkIkqgEBAvO/

Robert Hooks OTHER Actor Son

In addition to having one actor son, Robert actually has another one! His name is Eric Hooks and many of y’all may not know him by name, but if you know anything about classic Black films from back in the day, you’ll probably remember his face. Eric Hooks mostly acted during his childhood years, with one of his most popular roles being in the film, “Sounder.” In that dramatic 1972 classic, Eric starred alongside his brother, Kevin, as well as Hollywood heavyweights, Cicely Tyson and Paul Winfield.

https://youtu.be/ulCdv0OMY1U

So as you can see, acting was in their blood because they had their Pops set a great example for them.

Aside from Kevin and Eric Hooks, their father has 5 more children- Cecelia Ann Hooks Onibudo, Christopher Carter, Michelle Thomas Hooks, Robert Hooks Jr., and Kiyo Dean Tarpley Hooks.

Why He Started The Negro Ensemble Company

According to New York Times, Robert Hooks is also ‘a founder of the Negro Ensemble Company, a theater group in Manhattan of which he was the executive director from 1965 to 1978.’ In the interview below, Robert Hooks explained how Sidney Poitier and Douglas Turner Ward, encouraged him to relocate from Philadelphia to New York on pretty much a wing and a prayer to hopefully spark a successful acting career. It was from there, that something else was sparked in him- his transition from being a then up-and-coming Broadway actor- to creating his own platform that would offer equal opportunities for many Black actors.

https://youtu.be/ulCdv0OMY1U

One more fun fact about Robert, is that he didn’t give on up on finding love again, after his two failed marriages to Rosie Lee Hooks and Yvonne Hickman. In 2008, he married his bride, Lorrie Marlow, at the age of 70 years young. These days, the brotha is still happy, healthy and married at 81.

The post Many Never Knew “White Shadow” Actor’s Father Is A Legendary 70s/80s Actor Too appeared first on I Love Old School Music.

Old Schoolers make some noise if you remember “Morris Thorpe,” the slick talking point guard for ‘George Washington Carver High School’ on the 70’s series, The White Shadow. Actor, Kevin Hooks, played that role like no other.

And today, almost 40 years after Hooks hit the b-ball court with his TV team mates, he’s being highly praised by many for playing another pivotal role. This time, instead of starring in front of the lights, he’s directing the stars from behinds the lights in the new BET Nelson Mandela miniseries, Madiba.

The three-part miniseries has been getting incredible reviews and stars Laurence Fishburne, Orlando Jones (from Drumline), as they tell a side of Mandela that’s rarely seen. Madiba was based off of two of Mandela’s autobiographies, “Conversations with Myself” and “Nelson Mandela by Himself” and check out the history Kevin Hooks just made with the series below…

FIRST BLACK DIRECTOR TO TELL NELSON MANDELA’S STORY

All these years have gone by and this is the first time a Black director was ever granted the opportunity to direct the story of the icon who dedicated his life to freeing and empowering Black people, as well as oppressed people of all races. Crazy, right? Glad to see that it finally happened with Kevin though.

Although Kevin has directed over TV shows and/or movies, he says Madiba was by far the most challenging and the most gratifying.

Kevin Hooks: “I have never directed six hours worth of material before and to have a story and a canvas as large as Nelson Mandela and the liberation of South Africa. […] Without a doubt it was my biggest challenge as a director. Physically, mentally and both. But again, I sort of compared it to climbing Mount Everest which I have not done by the way but it’s one of those things that you don’t know what the journey is going to deliver but you are on it and you know that it’s a worthwhile journey and at the end there is a tremendous sense of accomplishment and self satisfaction.” -via BlackFilm

If missed Madibe, which originally aired on Feb. 1st, 8th, and 15th, y’all know BET will run the hell outta some re-runs so no worries, just look it up and set your recorder for the next run.

Big ups to Kevin Hooks for doing a helluva job directing the cast. He had some amazing actors to work with though, so it was a perfect marriage.

Speaking of marriage, check out who Kevin Hooks is married to and also who his FAMOUS daddy is>>>

The post MANY Are Now Talking About “The White Shadow” ACTOR & For A VERY Good Reason appeared first on I Love Old School Music.