Robert Townsend
Actor
Born February 6, 1957 in Chicago, Illinois, USA
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
The 51st AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Eddie Murphy
Self
Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man!
Self - Comedian & Filmmaker
Before
Jackson
Poppa's House
Kaleidoscope
The Bear
Emmanuel Adamu
Ms. Pat: Y'all Wanna Hear Something Crazy?
Power Book IV: Force
Colin in Black and White
The Wonder Years
A Walk with Charles Burnett
Self
Making The Five Heartbeats
Love Is___
Black Lightning
Dr. Napier Frank
Playin' for Love
Coach Banks
Bill Cosby: Far From Finished
In the Hive
Scooby-Doo! Music of the Vampire
Vampire Actor #1 (voice)
Directors on Directing
Self
Diary of a Single Mom
Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy
Self
Of Boys and Men
Holden Cole
Phantom Punch
South of Nowhere
Black in the 80s
Self
Richard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet, #*%$#@!!
Self
Black Listed
Alan Chambers
I Was a Teenage Faust
Mr. Five
Undercover Brother
Mr. UB
10,000 Black Men Named George
Book of Love: The Definitive Reason Why Men Are Dogs
Carmen: A Hip Hopera
Livin' for Love: The Natalie Cole Story
Holiday Heart
Little Richard
Sidney Poitier: One Bright Light
Up, Up, and Away
Jim Marshall / Bronze Eagle
Taxman
Peyton Cody
Mercenary II: Thick & Thin
Charlie Love
From Behind Closed Doors
Jackie's Back!
Robert Townsend
Love Songs
Champ
Joseph's Gift
James Saunders
Hollywood Squares
Self - Panelist
B.A.P.S
Stuart Hall: Representation & the Media
Archive Footage (Hollywood Shuffle)
Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child
Rumpelstiltskin (voice)
The Parent 'Hood
Robert Peterson
The Legend of Dolemite! Bigger & Badder
Self
The Meteor Man
Jefferson Reed
The Five Heartbeats
Duck
Robin Harris: One Night Stand
Bum #3
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 4
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 3
The Mighty Quinn
Maubee
That's Adequate
Standup Comic
I'm Gonna Git You Sucka
Minor Role (uncredited)
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 2
Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute
Self
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 1
Eddie Murphy Raw
Uptown Comedy Express
Hollywood Shuffle
Bobby Taylor
Ratboy
Manny
Rodney Dangerfield: It's Not Easy Bein' Me
Self
Odd Jobs
Dwight
Amazing Stories
Billy Burliss
American Flyers
Jerome
A Soldier's Story
Corporal Ellis
Streets of Fire
The Sorels - Lester
In Love with an Older Woman
James
Senior Trip
Randy
Willie & Phil
Thin Boy
Women at West Point
Russell Baker
The Warriors
Baseball Fury (uncredited)
The Monkey Hustle
Musician
Mahogany
Extra (uncredited)
Cooley High
Basketball Player in Gym Class
M*A*S*H
Patient