Robert Townsend
Born: 1957-02-06 in Chicago, Illinois, USA
Known For: Acting
Biography
Robert Townsend (born February 6, 1957) is an American actor, director, comedian, and writer. Townsend is best known for directing the films Hollywood Shuffle (1987), Eddie Murphy Raw (1987), The Meteor Man (1993), The Five Heartbeats (1991) and various other films and stand-up specials. He is especially known for his eponymous self-titled character, Robert Peterson as the starring role as on The WB sitcom The Parent 'Hood (1995–1999), a series which he created and of which directed select episodes. Townsend is also known for his role as Donald "Duck" Matthews in his 1991 film The Five Heartbeats. He later wrote, directed and produced Making The Five Heartbeats (2018), a documentary film about the production process and behind the scenes insight into creating the film. Townsend is also known for his production company Townsend Entertainment which has produced films Playin' for Love, In the Hive and more. During the 1980s and early–1990s, Townsend gained national exposure through his stand-up comedy routines and appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. Townsend has worked with talent including Halle Berry, Morgan Freeman, Chris Tucker, Beyoncé, Denzel Washington and many more.
Filmography
2026
- Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man! as Self - Comedian & Filmmaker
- The 51st AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Eddie Murphy as Self
2024
- Before as Jackson
- Poppa's House ... (Director)
2023
- Kaleidoscope ... (Director)
2022
- The Bear as Emmanuel Adamu
- Power Book IV: Force ... (Director)
- Ms. Pat: Y'all Wanna Hear Something Crazy? ... (Director)
2021
- The Wonder Years ... (Director)
- Colin in Black and White ... (Director)
2019
- A Walk with Charles Burnett as Self
2018
- Black Lightning as Dr. Napier Frank
- Love Is___ ... (Director)
- Making The Five Heartbeats ... (Director)
2015
- Playin' for Love as Coach Banks
2013
- Bill Cosby: Far From Finished ... (Director)
2012
- Scooby-Doo! Music of the Vampire as Vampire Actor #1 (voice)
- In the Hive ... (Director)
2009
- Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy as Self
- Diary of a Single Mom ... (Director)
- Directors on Directing as Self
2008
- Phantom Punch ... (Director)
- Of Boys and Men as Holden Cole
2005
- South of Nowhere ... (Director)
- Black in the 80s as Self
2003
- Richard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet, #*%$#@!! as Self
- Black Listed as Alan Chambers
2002
- Undercover Brother as Mr. UB
- 10,000 Black Men Named George ... (Director)
- I Was a Teenage Faust as Mr. Five
- Book of Love: The Definitive Reason Why Men Are Dogs
2001
- Carmen: A Hip Hopera ... (Director)
2000
- Holiday Heart ... (Director)
- Livin' for Love: The Natalie Cole Story ... (Director)
- Up, Up, and Away as Jim Marshall / Bronze Eagle
- Little Richard ... (Director)
- Sidney Poitier: One Bright Light
1999
- Taxman as Peyton Cody
- Jackie's Back! as Robert Townsend
- Joseph's Gift as James Saunders
- Love Songs as Champ
- From Behind Closed Doors ... (Director)
- Mercenary II: Thick & Thin as Charlie Love
1998
- Hollywood Squares as Self - Panelist
- Motown Live as Self - Host
1997
- B.A.P.S ... (Director)
- Stuart Hall: Representation & the Media as Archive Footage (Hollywood Shuffle)
1996
- Great Drives as Self - Host
1995
- Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child as Rumpelstiltskin (voice)
- The Parent 'Hood as Robert Peterson
1994
1993
- The Meteor Man as Jefferson Reed
1991
1990
- Robin Harris: One Night Stand as Bum #3
1989
- The Mighty Quinn as Maubee
- That's Adequate as Standup Comic
- Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 4
- Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 3
1988
- I'm Gonna Git You Sucka as Minor Role (uncredited)
- Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute as Self
- Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 2
1987
- Eddie Murphy Raw ... (Director)
- Hollywood Shuffle as Bobby Taylor
- Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 1
- Uptown Comedy Express
1986
- Ratboy as Manny
- Odd Jobs as Dwight
- Rodney Dangerfield: It's Not Easy Bein' Me as Self
1985
- Amazing Stories as Billy Burliss
- American Flyers as Jerome
1984
- Streets of Fire as The Sorels - Lester
- A Soldier's Story as Corporal Ellis
1982
- In Love with an Older Woman as James
1981
- Senior Trip as Randy
1980
- Willie & Phil as Thin Boy
1979
- The Warriors as Baseball Fury (uncredited)
- Women at West Point as Russell Baker
1976
- The Monkey Hustle as Musician
1975
- Cooley High as Basketball Player in Gym Class
- Mahogany as Extra (uncredited)
1972
- M*A*S*H as Patient