Symonds was born in Bristow, Oklahoma, the son of Nellie (née Barry) and Walter Stout Symonds. He married Elizabeth Janel Kaderli in 1952 and had three children; Victoria, Barry, and Rebecca. He and Janel divorced in 1969. He was married to actress Priscilla Pointer from 1980 until his death and was the step-father of actress Amy Irving and her siblings, David and Katie. He was the father of Vicki Morrison, Barry Symonds, and Becca Wooldridge.