Before his signature character Sheriff Lobo, Akins appeared as owner-operator trucker Sonny Pruitt in NBC's "Movin' On", from 1974 to 1976, with Frank Converse. Akins starred in over 40 episodes of" Movin' On", plus a made-for-TV movie "In Tandem". He also starred as a Nashville police detective, Stoney Huff, in the crime drama "Nashville 99". Akins' best-known role of Sheriff Elroy P. Lobo had begun as a recurring character on the television series "B.J. and the Bear". After becoming a recognizable name in the late 1970s, Akins did testimonial TV commercials for PoliGrip, Rollins Truck Leasing, and AAMCO Transmissions.