Has a son, Glen Gabbard of Houston, who is a professor of psychiatry at
Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. Another son, Krin Gabbard of
NYC, is a professor of comparative literature at State University of
New York at Stonybrook and a jazz authority.
Earned a Bachelor's degree at Berea College, majoring in theater and
music. Later, studied drama at Louisiana State University, where he met
his wife. During WWII, served in the Navy. After the war, earned a
doctorate from the University of Iowa.
From 1947 until his retirement in 1984, taught acting at Eastern
Illinois University in Charleston. Among his students were Joan Allen and
John Malkovich.