Kevin Hooks facts for kids

Kevin Hooks was born on September 19, 1958. He is an American actor and a director for movies and TV shows. You might know him from his acting roles in films like Aaron Loves Angela and Sounder. He is also well-known for playing Morris Thorpe in the TV series The White Shadow.

Early Life and Acting Career

Kevin Hooks was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His mother was Yvonne, a state employee. His father, Robert Hooks, was also a director and actor. Robert Hooks starred in many films during the 1970s. Kevin's friends sometimes call him "King Royal."

In the late 1970s, Hooks lived in Southwest, Washington, D.C.. He went to Potomac High School in Oxon Hill, Maryland.

First Roles as a Young Actor

When Kevin was only 10 years old, he starred in a special TV episode called J.T.. This show was part of the CBS Children's Hour in 1969. It was about a kind boy from Harlem who became friends with a sick cat. The episode was written by Jane Wagner and won a Peabody Award, which is a big honor for TV shows.

In 1972, Hooks appeared in the popular movie Sounder. He played the oldest son of the main characters, who were played by Paul Winfield and Cicely Tyson. Kevin's character helped tell the story from a child's point of view. The film showed his character becoming the "man of the family" on a farm during the Great Depression. Both Paul Winfield and Cicely Tyson were nominated for Oscars for their amazing performances in the movie.

Hooks also had a role in the 1975 film Aaron Loves Angela. This movie was directed by Gordon Parks Jr.. It was a love story set in Harlem, New York, about a young African American boy and a Puerto Rican girl. Kevin played a shy teenager, and he acted alongside the talented 15-year-old Irene Cara. The film showed the challenges the young couple faced.

TV Success with The White Shadow

From 1978 to 1981, Kevin Hooks played Morris Thorpe in the successful TV series The White Shadow. This show was about high school basketball. Morris Thorpe was a popular character.

In 1986, Hooks starred in a TV comedy show called He's the Mayor. It was on the ABC network, but it only lasted a short time.

Director Roles

Kevin Hooks has become a very successful director. In 1991, he directed the movie Strictly Business. He even had a small acting part in that film.

Directing Action and Drama

Hooks has directed many well-known actors in action movies. He directed Wesley Snipes in Passenger 57. He also directed Cynthia Rothrock and Stacy Keach in Irresistible Force. Later, he directed Laurence Fishburne and Stephen Baldwin in Fled. He also worked with Patrick Swayze on the film Black Dog.

Kevin Hooks worked as a director and producer for the popular TV series Prison Break. He also directed two episodes from the first season of the show Lost: "White Rabbit" and "Homecoming".

In 2003, Hooks directed a TV remake of Sounder for ABC's Wonderful World of Disney. This was special because Paul Winfield, who was his co-star in the original 1972 film, played a different role in the remake.

Directing Prison Break Episodes

Hooks directed many episodes of Prison Break, including:

• "The Rat" (Season 1)
• "Flight" (Season 1)
• "Manhunt" (Season 2)
• "Unearthed" (Season 2)
• "John Doe" (Season 2)
• "Sona" (Season 2)
• "Orientacion" (Season 3)
• "Photo Finish" (Season 3)
• "Hell or High Water" (Season 3)
• "Scylla" (Season 4)
• "Quiet Riot" (Season 4)
• "The Sunshine State" (Season 4)
• "Killing Your Number" (Season 4)

He also directed the movie Prison Break: The Final Break in 2009, which was based on the TV series.

Recent Directing Projects

In 2017, Hooks directed Madiba. This was a three-part TV special for BET about the life of Nelson Mandela. It showed Mandela's fight against apartheid in South Africa. Laurence Fishburne starred as Nelson Mandela in the series.

In 2020, Kevin Hooks directed an episode of the TV show The Good Lord Bird.

See also

In Spanish: Kevin Hooks para niños