Hubbard, born in Indianapolis, Indiana, is most famous for appearing in several productions of Show Boat (as Joe) and Porgy and Bess (most famously as Jake, but he also sang the role of Porgy), both in regional productions and on Broadway.\r \r From 1978 to 1980, after Porgy and Bess, he was also seen on Broadway and subsequently in two Broadway National tours of Timbuktu! starring the legendary Eartha Kitt, Melba Moore, Gilbert Price and Ira Hawkins and directed by the Tony Award winning director and choreographer Geoffrey Holder. Hubbard first understudied then eventually succeeded Price in the leading role of the Mansa of Mali.\r \r