What happened to Avery Brooks, the actor who played Hawk on Spencer: For Hire? I think he's a great actor and loved him in that role.
—Betty W., Virginia
Following his stint as Hawk on Spenser: For Hire and its spin-off, A Man Called Hawk, Avery Brooks, 52, appeared as Capt. Benjamin Sisko on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Brooks shares his love of acting with students at New Jersey's Rutgers University, where he is a part-time tenured theater professor. In fact, he was the first African-American to graduate from Rutgers' Mason Gross School of the Arts with a master of fine arts degree in acting and directing. Growing up in Evansville and later Gary, Ind., Brooks was surrounded by a musical family and is an accomplished singer and musician. He received a Cable ACE nomination for his portrayal of Uncle Tom in Uncle Tom's Cabin. His film roles include The Big Hit, American History X, and most recently, 15 Minutes with Robert De Niro. Brooks and his wife have one daughter and two sons.
