Avery Franklin Brooks, popularly known as Avery Brooks is a retired actor, singer, director, educator, and narrator. He is widely recognised for his iconic roles in television, particularly as Hawk in Spenser: For Hire, and Captain Benjamin Sisko in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.
Brooks ventured into the entertainment world in 1984 and took retirement in 2006, after having an eventful career for decades. Throughout his career, he has played diverse roles, including critically acclaimed performances that brought him fame and success. In addition to acting, Brooks has made significant contributions to education and classical theatre and even earned prestigious accolades along the way.
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Avery Brooks was born on 2nd October 1948, in Evansville, Indiana, to parents Samuel Brooks and Eva Lydia Crawford. His mother was a music instructor and choral conductor, while his father worked as a tool-and-die worker.
Growing up in a musical household, Brooks developed a liking for music at a young age. He attended Oberlin College before transferring to Indiana University, where he completed his Bachelor of Arts. Later, he earned a Master of Fine Arts in acting and directing from Rutgers University. He is the first African-American, who was awarded an MFA from Rutgers.
Brooks started his career in theatre, where he honed his skills, appearing in various stage productions. He made his television debut in the 1980s when he started landing guest roles in popular TV series.
However, his big break came when he was cast as Hawk in Spenser: For Hire, a detective series on ABC. This earned him widespread recognition and praise for his powerful performance.
Brooks’ career skyrocketed after his role in Spenser: For Hire, leading him to appear in the spinoff series A Man Called Hawk.
However, it was his role as Captain Benjamin Sisko in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine that solidified his legacy in the television industry. As the first Black lead in a Star Trek series, Brooks broke barriers and gained a massive fan base. Due to his incredible work on the show, he also earned three NAACP Image Award nominations.
Talking about Avery Brooks’ relationship, he has been married to Vicki Bowen since 1976. The couple has three children together, including Asante, Ayana, and Cabral. The family is currently settled in Princeton, New Jersey, and leading a happy life.
As per the latest reports, Avery Brooks’ net worth in 2025 is approx. $10 million. Throughout his career, he earned money from multiple sources, which helped him build a massive fortune and take an early retirement.
His major earnings came from his work in television, where he worked in some of the most popular series, including the Star Trek franchise. Besides that, he made money from acting in films, theatre performances, and voice-over work. In addition to acting, Brooks worked as an educator at Rutgers University which further contributed to his wealth. At present, he is living a comfortable life with his family.
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