Robert Townsend
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- February 6, 1957 (age 69)
- Birthplace
- Chicago, Illinois, USA
Biography
Robert Townsend (born February 6, 1957) is an American actor, comedian, and filmmaker. 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.
Known For
Photos
Filmography
AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Eddie Murphy
Movie · as Self
Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man!
TV · as Self - Comedian & Filmmaker · 1 ep
Before
TV · as Jackson · 2 eps
The Bear
TV · as Emmanuel Adamu · 12 eps
A Walk with Charles Burnett
Movie · as Self
Black Lightning
TV · as Dr. Napier Frank · 3 eps
Playin' for Love
Movie · as Coach Banks
Scooby-Doo! Music of the Vampire
Movie · as Vampire Actor #1 (voice)
Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy
Movie · as Self
Directors on Directing
Movie · as Self
Of Boys and Men
Movie · as Holden Cole
Tao of The Golden Mask
Movie
Black in the 80s
TV · as Self · 3 eps
Richard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet, #*%$#@!!
Movie · as Self
Black Listed
Movie · as Alan Chambers
I Was a Teenage Faust
Movie · as Mr. Five
Undercover Brother
Movie · as Mr. UB
Book of Love: The Definitive Reason Why Men Are Dogs
Movie
Up, Up, and Away
Movie · as Jim Marshall / Bronze Eagle
Sidney Poitier: One Bright Light
Movie
Taxman
Movie · as Peyton Cody
Mercenary II: Thick & Thin
Movie · as Charlie Love
Joseph's Gift
Movie · as James Saunders
Love Songs
Movie · as Champ
Jackie's Back!
Movie · as Robert Townsend
Hollywood Squares
TV · as Self - Panelist · 5 eps
Motown Live
TV · as Self - Host · 12 eps
Stuart Hall: Representation & the Media
Movie · as Archive Footage (Hollywood Shuffle)
Great Drives
TV · as Self - Host · 1 ep
The Parent 'Hood
TV · as Robert Peterson · 90 eps
Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child
TV · as Rumpelstiltskin (voice) · 1 ep
The Legend of Dolemite! Bigger & Badder
Movie · as Self
The Meteor Man
Movie · as Jefferson Reed
The Five Heartbeats
Movie · as Duck
A Party For Richard Pryor
Movie · as Self
The Carol Burnett Show
TV · 9 eps
Robin Harris: One Night Stand
Movie · as Bum #3
The Mighty Quinn
Movie · as Maubee
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 3
Movie
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 4
Movie
That's Adequate
Movie · as Standup Comic
I'm Gonna Git You Sucka
Movie · as Minor Role (uncredited)
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 2
Movie
Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute
Movie · as Self
Hollywood Shuffle
Movie · as Bobby Taylor
Uptown Comedy Express
Movie
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 1
Movie
Odd Jobs
Movie · as Dwight
Ratboy
Movie · as Manny
Rodney Dangerfield: It's Not Easy Bein' Me
Movie · as Self
American Flyers
Movie · as Jerome
Amazing Stories
TV · as Billy Burliss · 1 ep
A Soldier's Story
Movie · as Corporal Ellis
Streets of Fire
Movie · as The Sorels - Lester
In Love with an Older Woman
Movie · as James
Senior Trip
Movie · as Randy
Willie & Phil
Movie · as Thin Boy
The Warriors
Movie · as Baseball Fury (uncredited)
Women at West Point
Movie · as Russell Baker
The Monkey Hustle
Movie · as Musician
Cooley High
Movie · as Basketball Player in Gym Class
Mahogany
Movie · as Extra (uncredited)
M*A*S*H
TV · as Patient · 1 ep